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ADZUMA 


THE   JAPANESE    WIFE 


A  D  Z  U  M  A 


t^c  %(Xi(>(XUBt  Wife 


A   PLAY  IN   FOUR   ACTS 


BY 


SIR   EDWIN   ARNOLD 

AUTHOR  OF  "THE  LIGHT  OF  ASIA,"  "JAPONICA,"  ETC.,  ETC. 


NEW  YORK 

CHARLES   SCRIBNER'S   SONS 

1893 

All  rights  reserved 


/a 


01 


Copyright,  1893,  by 
EDWIN    ARNOLD. 


TROW  DIRECTORY 

PRINTING  AND  BOOKBINDING  COMPANY 

NEW  YORK 


DRAMATIS    PERSONS 


MORITO  MUSHA  ENDO 

Kameju 
Sakamune     . 

Wataru  Watanabe 

Sasaki   . 

hojo  tokimasa    . 
doi  morinaga 
Adachi  Sanehira 
A  Fisherman. 
A  Lampseller. 

Adzuma 

koromogawa 
O  YosHi 
O  Tama 


a  Japanese  Nobleman. 

his  faithful  Retainer. 

his  companion,  a  Samurai. 
j  another    Japanese   Nobleman, 
I      husband  of  Adzuma. 

Lord  of  Idzu. 

a  Samurai. 

the  same. 

the  same. 


Wife  of  Wataru,  and  daughter 

of  Koromogawa. 
Mother  of  Adzuma. 


Waiting-ladies. 


Retainers,  Soldiers,  Attendants,  Citizens,  Priests, 
Musumes,  Robbers,  &^c. 


PROLOGUE 

Lest  aught  offend  yon,  in  07ir  foreign  Play, 

Let  me — for  him  that  lurit  it — briefly  say, 

'  Tis  a  true  story  of  the  old  Japan, 

Where  they  luho  zvill  the  changeless  strife  may  sean 

Of  fateful  mortal  passions  ;   and,  beside. 

See  in  our  Adzuma,  high-typified. 

The  gentle,  patient,  faithful  Nippon  wife 

Done  to  the  fashion  of  the  faultless  life 

Whieh  those  did  learn  to  lead,  by  ancient  rules 

And  manners  shut  azvay  from    Western  schools. 

Here  shall  be  seen,  too,  hozu  the  doctrine  grew 

That  past,  forgotten,  years  constrain  the  neiv, 

And  souls  are  born,  zvith  life-scores  incomplete 


vi  PROLOGUE 

Which  start  a)icw  when  seeming  strangers  meet. 
But,  most  and  best  of  all,  here  shall  you  see 
Hoiv  "  dear  to  Heave]i  is  saintly  Chastity," 
And  Death  himself  bnt  friend  and  minister 
To  Adzuma,  and  noble  hearts  like  her. 


A  D  Z  U  M  A, 


OR 

THE    JAPANESE    WIFE. 

ACT   I. 

Scene  i. — Kyoto. 

An  outer  Guard- Room  of  the  Emperor'' s  Palace.     Armed 
Samurai  and  Soldiers  standing  or  sitting  about. 

Hojo.  Saw  you  young  Lord  Morito  throw  Sakamune 
in  the  wrestHng-ring  to-day? 

Adachi.  Aye !  a  notable  shoulder-heave  it  was ! 
Sakamune,  for  all  his  skill,  rolled  over  the  edge  of  the 
platform  like  a  pine-log  down  the  bank  of  Katsura. 

HojO.  Naruhodo !  What  a  man  that  is !  Every 
inch  of  him  soldierly  ! 


2  ADZUMA 

Doi.  He  is  now  in  high  favour.  When  came  he 
first  to  the  Court  ? 

Hojo.  It  was  just  after  Morito  won  back  the  Em- 
peror's favourite  horse,  Tama-jishi,  which  had  been  so 
boldly  stolen  by  the  robber  Koroku,  whom  none  of  us 
could  come  at. 

Doi.   Did  he  do  that? 

Hojo.  Yes !  he  was  only  a  stripling,  but  he  could 
swim  the  sea  like  a  tai ;  and  run  so  fleetly  that  a  cord 
of  thirty  sliakii,  tied  to  his  waist,  would  stream  in  a 
straight  line  behind  him.  With  Kameju,  his  retainer, 
who  is  as  prudent  as  Morito  is  headstrong,  he  went 
to  Tosa  in  Tango,  where  the  outlaw  made  his 
hold. 

Doi.   What  could  they  look  to  do  against  Koroku  ? 

Hojo.  That  which  courage  does,  backed  by  wit. 
They  gave  themselves  out  as  pilgrims  to  the  thirty-three 
shrines,  weary  and  in  need  :  two  wandering  youths,  one 
tall  and  stout,  the  other  delicate  as  a  musume.  but  both 
of  the  presence  to  please  Koroku.      So   he   entertained 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  3 

them  well,  and,  on  a  time,  questioned  them  if  they 
knew  the  military  arts,  wanting  them  for  his  band. 

Doi.   How  answered  they? 

Hojo.  Kameju  answered,  saying,  it  was  to  their 
shame  that,  albeit  sons  of  a  Daimio,  a  peasant  had 
brought  them  up,  and  taught  them  only  to  swim,  ride, 
and  wrestle.  So  the  Robber  would  see  them  show 
their  skill.  Kameju  plunged  into  the  waves,  and  swam 
well,  but  Morito,  taking  a  knife  in  his  belt,  dived  from 
the  rocks  and  brought  up,  dead,  a  large  fiika,  of  a 
bow's  length.  Then  they  were  put  to  wrestle,  in 
which  Morito,  designing  that  Kameju  should  win,  and 
thus  be  first  chosen  to  ride  the  great  horse,  gave  his 
companion  advantage,  and  was  finally  thrown  ;  yet  not 
until  they  had  played  before  Koroku  like  young  tigers. 
So  Kameju  was  to  mount  the  horse  first,  to  show 
who  could  ride  best ;  and  well  he  handled  the  black 
stallion,  which  none  of  the  thieves  dared  bestride. 
But  hardly  was  he  mounted,  and  beginning  speed, 
before   Morito,  quicker  than  any  deer    on  Arashiyama, 


4  ADZUMA 

darts  after  him,  and  while  all  the  rogues  thought  it  the 
wantonness  of  the  youth,  he  leaps  up  behind  Kanieju, 
claps  heel  to  the  stallion's  flank,  and  ere  the  robbers 
could  so  much  as  get  to  saddle,  they  had  seen  the  last 
of  the  Emperor's  horse. 

Do  I.   For  this  he  was  taken  to  favour  ? 

Hojo.  It  is  so.  And  ever  since  he  has  constantly 
bettered  his  fortunes  by  deeds  of  service.  Yet  there 
is  a  wild  spirit  under  his  knightliness  which  only 
Kameju  can  restrain. 

Adachi.  Domo  !  did  Ave  not  see  to-day,  when  Saka- 
mune  took  him  in  the  "bear's  grip,"  how  young 
Mori  to 's  teeth  clenched ;  how  he  breathed ;  how  he 
braced ;  how  he  set  his  feet  like  stone  gate-posts,  and 
flung  forth  his  very  good  friend  with  a  wrench  that 
would  have  sent  a  koku  of  rice  flying  ? 

Hojo.  Nc  ?  But,  afterwards  he  raised  Sakamune 
full  courteously,  and  wiped  the  dust  out  of  his  mouth 
with  his  own  head -cloth. 

AiMCHi.   It  was  so  !   it  was  so  !   nevertheless  Morito's 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  5 

glance,  in  that  clinch,  was  like  an  eagle's  look  when 
it  draws  the  curtain  off  its  eyes. 

Doi.  You  are  honourably  right  !  Meseemed  Sir 
Sakamune  did  not  show  best  pleased  to  be  grounded 
so  rudely  before  the  ladies  of  the  Court. 

Hojo.  Ah,  you  marked  that  ?  I,  too,  thought  he 
scowled  more  than  a  beaten  player  should,  when  he  rose  ; 
albeit  he  is  a  very  polished  Knight,  who  lets  none  see 
what  is  hid  in  the  silk  sleeve  of  his  manners.  But  you, 
Adachi  !  went  your  speech,  just  now,  deeper  than  its 
words,  when  you   likened   Morito's  look  to  an  eagle's? 

Adachi.   Nay,   Sir !     I   spoke    only   as  I  have   seen. 

Hojo.  'Tis  the  more  strange,  because  there  is  told 
a  tale  by  the  priests  and  the  women — a  story  of  shiira 
and  of  hoboi  *— giving  out  that  in  a  former  existence 
our  Mori  to  was  indeed  an  eagle. 

Adachi.   Nanihodo  ;  honourably  make  us  hear. 

Hojo.   In    truth,    I    am    but    partly    versed    in    the 


*  S/nira    is     "blood-feud" — hobcn    is   "divine   decree:"    both 
Buddhist  terms. 


6  ADZUMA 

matter,  but  here  comes  one  who  can  tell  us  all,  if  he 
will  speak.  Ask  Kameju  Haruki,  the  Heimin,  if  you 
would  know. 

Enter  Kameju. 

Kameju.    "  The  day,"  fair  gentlemen  ! 

Hojo.  To  you  "  the  day  !  " 

What  news,  Kameju  ? 

Kam.  Only  soldiers'  news  ; 

Mori  to  takes  your  watch  at  hour  of  the  Ox. 

Doi.   His  name  was  large  this  moment  on  our  tongues. 

Kam.  They  could  not  wag,  sirs  !   to  a  nobler  one; 
Morito  Musha  Endo,  my  good  Lord, 
Can  give  you  talk  enough  from  sun  to  sun 
If  what  you  love  to  talk  upon  be  deeds 
Fitting  a  warrior,  and  his  Father's  son. 

Hojo.   We  know  your  mind  to  him,  and  his  deserts, 
And  none  is  minded  save  to  praise  him  here, 
But,  when  you  cast  your  zori  at  the  gate. 
Our  speech  went  on  the  story  of  his  birth  ; 
An  eagle  mixed  with  it,  and  foregone  feuds, 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  7 

So  was  it  said — and  you  the  one  who  knows  : 
An't  be  not  private,  will  you  make  it  ours  ? 

Kam.   Sirs  !   what  the  priests  talk  at  the  evening  rice 
And  women  in  the  bath-house,  may  well  come 
To  all  your  ears,  if  soldiers'  ears  can  care 
For  matter  vague  and  visionary  as  mist 
Driving  down  Biwa;  which  the  East  wind  blows 
To  shapes  of  dragon,  devil,  bird,  and  snake, 
Melting  before  you  name  them. 

Adachi.  Still,  'tis  known 

Our  past  lives  build  the  present,  which  must  mould 
The  lives  to  be. 

Kam.  Oh,  if  you  hold  to  that, 

I  had  as  lief  my  honoured  Lord  drew  birth 
From  eyries,  as  from  any  plainer  nests. 
What?  must  you  have  it  ? 

Hojo.  Deign  augustly,  Sir  ! 

Kam.   Then,  since  'tis  chatter  with  us,  this  they  say — 
The  gossips  at  the  wells — Two  reigns  ago, 
The  Emperor  Toba  ruling,  a  vast  Bird 


ADZUMA 

Haunted  Shiki-no-kami's  craggy  crest, 

In  Yamato  ;  a  monstrous  snow-white  Bird, 

Its  spread  wings  like  the  mid-sails  of  a  junk, 

Its  beak  a  blacksmith's  shears,  its  talons  twinned 

Hooks  of  grey  bronze.      And,  when  the  women  laid 

Their  babes  upon  the  rice  sheaves,  oftentimes 

A  whistle  would  be  heard  amidst  the  pines 

As  if  a  typhoon  burst,  and  there  would  pass 

The  roar  of  those  wide,  terrible,  white  vans 

Casting  a  quick-gone  shadow,  and  be  heard 

The  scream  of  the  eagle,  swooping  on  the  babe 

With  orbs  ablaze,  and  silencing  the  wail — 

Save  for  the  mother's  ears — of  that  soft  prey 

Whose  tender  limbs  the  savage  talons  gripped 

And  bore  aloft ;  while  some  ran  for  their  bows. 

And   some    flung    foolish    stones,    and   some    made 

speed 
To  follow,  if  they  might,  the  Ravisher  ; 
Yet  always,  to  the  hollows  of  his  hill 
Safe  he  took  Hiuht. 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  9 

Doi.  They  speak  in  Yamato 

Now,  of  that  plague. 

Kam.  Well,  then,  the  Emperor  heard. 

And   vowed   the    plague   should   stay.       Therefore 

he  chose 
Lord  Yasuhira  from  his  list  of  lords. 
Best  at  the  archery  ;  bade  him  fare  forth 
And  slay  the  eagle.      Now  this  knight  was  old ; 
His  wife,  Koromogawa,  childless  still, 
And  near  past  nursing-times.     So  both  went  up 
To  Kwannon's  temple  at  the  lotus-pool 
Praying  these  two  boons — that  a  child  might  come 
To  take  the  enlarging  honours  of  their  name. 
And  that  some  happy  arrow  from  his  string 
Might    find    the  fierce    Bird's  breast,  and  save  the 

folk. 
Thus,  day  by  day,  and  night  by  night,  alone — 
With  Yasuhira  gone — his  lady  prayed 
These  things  unceasingly  at  Kwannon's  shrine 
Till  answer  came — strange  answer,  were  all  true  ! 


lo  ADZUMA 

Adachi.  The  Gods  do  listen,  if  we  ask  enough. 

Kam.   I  know  not ;  but  they  say  it  did  befall 

That, — one  day,  in  her  garden,  plucking  flowers 

To  set  before  the  goddess — from  the  reeds 

Koromogawa  sees  a  bright  snake  creep 

Which,  with  soft  rustlings,  seeks  to  come  to  her. 

No  loathsome  reptile,  but  a  lovely  coil 

Of  gold  and  green — if  one  can  like  a  snake — 

All  living,  jewelled  silk.     Thereon,  the  maids 

Cried  out  and  ran  ;  but  Yasuhira's  wife 

Was     none     afeard,     and     stroked     the     glistering 

length 
Of  the  cold  worm,  and  let  its  black  forked  tongue 
Play  with  her  hand  ;   then,  put  it  gently  back, 
Straightway  forgetting. 

Doi.  For  the  life  of  me 

I  could  not  play  with  serpents. 

Kam.  Well,  that  night, 

Lying  a- bed,  she  heard  a  beat  on  the  screen 
A  whisper,  "  Open  !  open  !  "     Whereupon, 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  ii 

All  Knight's  wife  as  she  was,  she  snatched  a  spear 

And  slid  the  shoji  back,  and  look  !   a  form 

Oh,  passing,  peerless,  fair ;  a  lovely  face 

Delicate-featured,  as  of  some  young  maid 

Budding  to  woman,  but  the  garb  a  man's, 

Dark  blue  hakavia,  swinging  purple  sleeves. 

The  long,  smooth,  gleaming  hair  tied  like  a  man's, 

Girdle  of 'broidered  silk,  and  from  its  folds 

Two  sword-hilts  forking.     If  there  dwelt  a  Dame 

Leal  to  her  Lord,  'twas  Yasuhira's  wife  ; 

Yet,  while  she  eyed  him,  in  herself  she  said, 

"  Thou  gracious  one  !   if  thou  be' est  man  indeed 

For  thee  Komachi's  snow-cold  blood  had  thaw'd, 

For  thee  the  Princess  Chiyo's  breast  of  stone 

Had  turned  to  flame  !   Oh,  that  thou  wert  my  child  !  ' ' 

Hojo.   Komachi  and  the  other  were  of  those 
Whom  no  man's  love  could  touch  ? 

Kam.  So  'tis  ;  and  when 

She  put  the  shoji  back,  saying  :    "  Who  comes 
By  night-time  o'er  the  fence,  is  no  true  man 


12  ADZUMA 

But  kusemono,  but  a  plunderer  !  " 

A  gentle  voice  wailed  :    "  Yasuhira's  wife  ! 

Give  entrance  !   think  thou  not  ill  thoughts  of  me 

That  am  thy  lover,  past  all  words  of  love, 

And  cannot  choose  but  be  about  thy  steps 

By  day-time,  'mid  the  flowers  ;  and  in  the  night. 

Where  thou  dost  sleep."      "Begone!"   the  Lady 

cries  : 
"  My  Lord  is  absent,  and  I  see  no  man 
By  day  or  night  !     I  know  thee  not,  begone  ! 
Or  I  must  strike  thee  with  my  husband's  spear  !  " 
"  Nay  !   but  thou  knowest  me,"  the  soft  voice  says : 
"  In  many  shapes  I  have  been  nigh  to  thee. 
Because  I  yearn,  out  of  the  shadowy  world 
To  come  to  earth  by  thee,  and  be  thy  child ; 
And  this  noon,  in  the  garden,  that  was  I 
Who  crept,  a  snake,  out  from  the  water-weeds 
And  would  have  fondled  longer  those  dear  hands 
But  that,  unkind,  thou  dravcst  me  away 
With  thy  bunched  lilies." 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  13 

Adachi.  Nanihodo  !  Sir, 

To  hear  a  snake  talk  so  ! 

KaiM.  For  very  shame 

To  hear  a  snake  enamoured  of  her  so 
Again  she  Hfts  the  spear  :   but  the  form  said  : 
"  Strike  !   if  thou  wilt,  since,  in  another  life, 
I  shall  be  woman,  and  more  near  to  thee 
As  I  am  now  thy  servant  and  thy  friend 
Whose  life  is  thine,  to  live  and  die  for  thee." 
On  this  spake  Koromogawa  :    "  If  'tis  sooth. 
Go  where  my  husband  is,  and  help  him  kill 
The  great  white  eagle  haunting  Yamato." 
Answered   the  beauteous  shape:    "Straight   will   I 

speed, 
For  this  is  easy,  and  my  destiny 
To  give  myself  for  thee,  whom  I  shall  meet 
In  other  lives,  and  other — till  the  end." 

Doi.    Judge    you,    good    Sir !    'twas    waking   truth,    or 
dream  ? 

Kam.   She  would  have  held  it  for  a  dream,  but,  see  ! 


14  ADZUMA 

At  day-dawn,  on  the  cover  of  her  bed 

Lies  a  long   snake  -  slough  —  gold    and    green   and 

blue 
And  puri)le,  like  the  apparel  of  the  Form  : 
And,  afterwards,  what  did  befall,  seems  more. 

Adachi.   Ah  !   Nama  Amida  I  we  long  to  hear. 

Kam.    Her   lord    comes    back  with   pomp   and    beating 
drums, 
.  Four  men  bearing  the  vast  bird  on  a  pole, 
Its  white  plumes  bloodied.    And  his  speech  was  this 
When,  full  of  honours  from  the  Emperor, 
He  sate  at  home  again.      "  I  fared,  my  wife. 
To  Yamato,  and  prayed  the  Goddess  long 
For  those  two  boons,  the  first  a  boy  or  girl 
To  bear  th'  enlarging  honours  of  our  house. 
And  next  that  I  might  find  and  slay  the  Bird. 
Far  did  I  wander  over  hill  and  moor 
With    notch    on    string,    searching    the    speckless 

sky, 
Threading  black  pine- woods,  rousing  spotted  deer 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  15 

From  glens  unvisited,  and  startling  up 

The  wild  crane  from  her  eggs,  the  grunting  boar 

Foul  from  his  lair,  and  solitary  bears 

From  berry-thickets  where  no  man  had  come ; 

Yet  nothing  nearer  won  I  to  my  quest : 

Till,  on  the  seventh  day,  ranging  at  dawn 

I  spy  a  sugi-tree,  whose  swaying  top, 

A  hundred  arrow-lengths  in  air,  spread  there 

Like  a  green  cloud  ;  and,  in  its  topmost  fork 

The  piled  sticks  of  an  eagle's  eyrie,  loud 

A\'ith  clamours  of  the  hungry  couplets.      See  ! — 

AMiile  I  get  breath  and  hide — a  noise  in  the  blue, 

A  whir  of  strong-struck  pinions,  and  there  lights, 

Shaking  the  mighty  tree,  that  great  white  Bird, 

Its  claws  drove  deep  in  the  dead  velvet  meat 

Of  some  poor  mother's  nursing  babe. 

How  reach 
At  such  a  height  the  tyrant  ?     Pondering  this 
I  mark  a  bright  snake,  from  beneath  the  nest, 
Glide  near  and  nearer  till  it  flings  its  coils — 


1 6  ADZUMA 

Quick  as  a  sword-blade  springing — round  the  Bird 
Chaining  his  strong  wings  down,  fettering  his  feet, 
Binding  him  tight  with  fold  on  glistening  fold ; 
And — while  he  screams  and  tumbles  on  his  tree — 
Darting  on  this  and  that  side  of  his  throat 
The  venomed  daggers  of  its  wide  red  jaw, 
Which  struck,   and,    once   more   struck.     Thereat, 

the  Bird 
Cries  loud  for  rage,  and  in  its  crooked  beak 
Mashes  the  Serpent's  head  ;  but  sick  and  bound. 
Falls  to  a  lower  fork,  locked  with  his  foe; 
And  there  a  shaft  can  reach  him.     To  my  ear 
I  drew  my  string,  and  loosed ;  the  bow  sang  loud, 
The  arrow  flew,  the  keen  steel  pierced  and  pinned 
Serpent  and  Bird  in  one  close  writhing  mass 
Which  bounded,  plume  and  scale,  from   bough  to 

bough 
And   rolled   down,    dead    and   reddened,    at   my 

foot." 
Hojo.   Ma  !  Kameju  !   no  better  tale-teller 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  17 

Holds  the  still  people  on  the  Yosc-mz.\s, ! 
And  how  fits  this  with  Endo  Morito  ? 
Ka.m.   Since  you  hold  patience  yet,  that  shall  be  told. 
Lord  Yasuhira  finished,  saying  thus, 
With  solemn  face  :  "  Once  more  in  Yamato 
I  sought  the  shrine,  and  gave  the  goddess  thanks, 
And   slept ;     but,    sleeping   saw    One  not   of    our 

world, 
Radiant  and  great,  who  spake  :    '  Seen  lives  of  men 
Intermix  close  with  other  lives  unseen. 
What  is  done  well,  obedient  to  the  Law, 
Blossoms  in  bliss,  and  what  is  wrongly  done 
Withers  to  woe,  'till  it  be  purged.     Thy  prayers 
Were    heard !     The   snake   that   helped  thee  must 

be  born 
A  beauteous  daughter  to  thy  wife.     The  Bird 
Hath  ended  all  save  one  hard  penitence 
For  which   once   more   he   meets    the    Snake,  and 

strives. 
He  will  be  Morimitsu's  son  on  earth. 


1 8  ADZUMA 

Born  of  Shiraito.      Lest  thy  waking  sense 
This  vision  scorn,  a  sign  is  given  for  faith.' 
And,  when  the  morning-cock  crowed  me  awake 
In  my  hand,  wife  !   there  lay  an  eagle's  plume, 
With  a  snake's  scale." 
Hojo.     Partly    I    knew  all    this    before,     but    never 

nearly  so  well,  as  to-day.      Our  thanks,  good  Kameju  ! 

That's     why    Koromogawa,     then,    Adzuma's     mother, 

would    liever    have    fire    take    her    house,   than    Mori  to 

Endo  and  her  daughter  come  together. 

Kam.   I  have  prated  too  much,  already  ;   but,  indeed, 

I  deem  the  fortune  of  my  Lord    lies  better  elsewhere. 

These    things    are    as    they    must    be.     We    talk    like 

waiting-maids  in   a  tea-house;    and   'tis  time,   I   think, 

that  the  guard  was  shifted. 

End  of  Scene  i. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  19 

ACT  I. 

Scene  2. 

A  Garden  of  the  Palace,  laid  out  in  the  Japanese  style, 
zvith  rocks,  dwarf -trees,  bridges,  fish-ponds,  stone 
lanterns,  etc.,  etc. 

Enter  Sakamune. 

Sakamune.   I  would  I  could  dare  more,  or  did  hate  less  ! 
Three  in  this  world  make  the  world  ill  to  me, 
But  Avhen  I  seek  how  to  be  quits  with  them 
The  fearful  half  in  me  pulls  at  the  sleeve 
Of  the  bolder  half,  and  bids  me  take  good  heed 
Lest  when  I  dig  them  pits  I  fall  therein. 
First  of  the  three,  Wataru  most  I  hate — 
My  friend,  a  goodly  man — because  he  sleeps 
Nightly  in  that  sweet  paradise  I  sought, 
Adzuma's  arms  ;   her  thrice,  thrice  happy  Lord  ! 
And  next  I  hate,  as  hot  as  once  I  loved, 
Adzuma's  self,  who  had  no  eyes  for  me 


ADZUMA 

When  I  did  ask  her  for  my  wife — and  there 

Her  mother  shares  my  spite,  Morito's  Aunt. 

Last  comes  Lord  Morito — also  my  friend, 

Also  most  goodly  !   oh,  a  soldier  forged 

Of  stuff  as  fine  as  any  Bizen  blade  ; 

Yet  doth  he  cross  me,  and  doth  humble  me, 

Holding  the  manly  mirror  of  his  force 

Up  to  this  face  of  weakness  I  would  hide. 

A  headstrong  lord  withal,  whom  I  can  bring 

With  craft  to  the  slaughter,  as  a  butcher  leads 

His  brute  ox  by  the  nose-ring.      Craft  shall  do't. 

I  will  devise  that  each  one  pushes  each 

To  tears  and  ruin,  while  I  laugh  and  watch, 

Always  "  Kind  Sakamune  !   honest  friend  !  " 

But  were  I  otherwise,  if  that  in  me 

Which    should    be    soldier,    matched    my   pitiless 

mind — 
This  way  were  ])leasanter,  and  short  to  take : 

\Hc  drmvs  one  of  his  two  swords,  and  lops  off  the 
top  of  a  young  pi iic-trcc.~\ 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  21 

Wataru's  head  rolled  in  the  dust — like  that  ! 

\_IIe  cuts  off  another  pine-tree  top.~\ 
Morito's  proud  brows  rolling — like  to  that  ! 

\He  aims  to  cut  off  a  stalk  of  flowering  Golden 
Lily,  but  pauses  in  the  blow^ 
And  Adzuma's —  !     But,  oh  thou  Lily-Flower, 
That  art  so  fair,  so  pure,  scented  so  sweet 
As  if  the  Angels'  breaths  came  with  thee  here  ; 
And  dropped  with  purple  gouts,  and  rosy  stains, 
And  dusted  with  pale  gold,  all  like  the  moles. 
And  birth-marks,  and  the  ambered  silken  glow 
Of  Adzuma,  to  show  fairness  more  fair. 
The  white  skin  whiter,  and  to  draw  the  eye 
Into  the  madness  of  the  wondering  mind. 
The  longing  hand,  the  yearning  hungry  blood  ! 
Thus  would  I  end  thee,  and  my  aches  for  thee 
Not  by  some  too  kind  stroke,  but  so  ! — and  so  ! 

\He  plucks  and  breaks  slowly  to  pieces  a  Lily- 
blossom^ 
Crushing  thy  sweet,  desired,  unwilling  heart — - 


22  ADZUMA 

The  rose,  gold,  purple,  white — all,  to  one  wrack 

Of  scattered  satin  leaf,  and  silver  stem. 

And  soft  green  cup  !    Oh,  thus !  thus !  thus  !  and  thus ! 

That  if  I  wear  them  not,  none  other  shall. 

And  that  thy  soul  exhale,  in  dew  of  tears, 

Sweet  incense  to  the  nostrils  of  my  wrong. 

Enter  Morito   Endo. 

MoRiTO.  Why,  Sakamune !  do  you  practise  sword- 
play  with  the  trees  and  flowers  ? 

Sakamune.  Ah  !  Morito  ;  truly  you  have  caught 
me  idling  !  I  was  meditating  I  know  not  what.  'Tis 
a  new  blade  the  sword-maker  Masamura  hath  forged 
for  me,  and,  having  it  in  hand,  I  tried  a  cut  or  two. 

MoR.  'T  would  be  better  training  if  the  Emperor's 
saplings  and  lilies  borrowed  the  bees'  stings,  and  went 
armed  !  Steel  upon  steel  is  what  teaches  a  soldier, 
and  it  has  been  said  well: — ''The  girded  sword  is  the 
living  soul  of  the  Samurai."  Grant  me  a  respectful 
glance  at  your  new  katana. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  23 

Saka.  It  is  at  your  honourable  service,  like  him 
that  owns  it. 

MoR.  My  ever  good  friend  !  In  truth,  an  excellent 
piece  of  sword-craft !  the  7nunc  solid,  yet  not  over- 
weighted ;  the  hira  delicate,  but  firmly-fashioned  ;  and 
the  nioi  marks  playful  as  watered  silk,  yet  misty  as 
the  breath  of  a  musume  upon  her  looking-glass.  You 
must  stain  such  an  edge  in  our  next  wars  with  better 
blood  than  pine-juice  ! 

Saka.  I  hope  it  may  be  at  your  side,  then,  to  show 
me  how  swords  should  be  wielded. 

MoR.  Domo !  What  have  I  ever  done  ?  You  are 
too  kind  to  me.  I  sought  you  here,  in  truth,  to  ask 
your  forgiveness  about  the  wrestling-match  this  morn- 
ing.    I  fear  I  handled  you  rudely. 

Saka.  It  was  my  fit  punishment  for  challenging  a 
better  man. 

MoR.  Nay,  thou  art  my  master  in  the  ring,  and 
it  was  only  by  a  false  step  that  I  flung  thee.  But 
indeed,  there    is  that   in    my    elements,   which   a  friend 


24  ADZUMA 

must  find  grace  to  put  by.  I  desire  to  live  knightly — 
but,  at  times,  there  comes  upon  me  a  passion  which 
has  no  conscience.  When  I  felt  that  thou  wouldst 
trip  me,  the  evil  spirit  arose.  I  am  quiet  as  a  pigeon 
with  a  full  crop  until  it  rouses,  and  then  'tis  as  'twere 
an  eagle's  wrath,  which  sets  my  breast  on  fire,  and 
brings  the  lightning  to  my  eyes.  Give  me  thy  for- 
giveness ! 

Saka.   It  is  nothing,  it  is  nothing  ! 

MoR.  No  !  but  'twas  less  than  friendly  that  I  should 
take  thee  so,  when  thy  leg  slipped  on  the  sweat  of 
my  thigh.  I  am  very  humbly  sorry,  and  I  have 
said  it  elsewhere,  that  thou  art  my  teacher  in  the 
wrestling-ring. 

Saka.   I  say  it  was  nothing. 

MoR.  Then  you  will  bear  no  grudge?  That  is 
gracious  !  I  had  a  little  thing  further  to  declare. 
The  great  new  bridge  in  the  City  square  is  to  be 
opened  to-morrow,  and  I  am  appointed  to  keep  the 
way    with    five   slwtal  of  soldiers,    and    to  receive   the 


OR    THE    'JAPANESE    WIFE  25 

Emperor's  procession.  Also  I  was  to  choose  my 
second  in  the  commandment,  and  I  have  named  thy 
name,  Sakamune  ! 

Saka.  Now  thou  dost  right  courteously  raise  up 
a  fallen  foe.  I  thank  thee,  Morito  Endo  !  At  what 
hour  do  we  gather  ? 

MoR.  At  the  hour  of  the  Rat. 
Saka.  And  where  post  we  our  fellows  ? 
MoR.  On  the  south  end  of  the  bridge,  where  the 
open  place  is.  If  the  Emperor  be  well  pleased  with 
the  doings  of  the  day,  there  will  be  another  fief  for 
thee ;  or,  mayhap,  a  sword  of  honour  wherewith  to 
chop  lilies  and  fir-tops,  until  better  business  comes. 
Sayonara  ! 

Saka.   Sayonara  !  and  my  best  service. 

\Exit  Morito. 
Aye  !   proud  Bird, 
That  hast,  indeed,  the  old  life  rank  in  thee. 
So  com'st  thou  to  my  springe,  full-winged  !     This 
hap 


26  ADZUMA 

Brings    what  I    sought.     Now   shall    they    blindly 

meet, 
Morito  and  the  lovely,  spotless  wife 
Who  dwells  as  high  o'er  my  desire — and  his — 
As  yonder  evening  star  above  this  pool 
Where  the  frogs  croak.     Beyond  my  love  thou  art, 
Adzuma,  with  the  honeyed  mouth,  but  not 
Beyond   my  hate  !     Ah,  far  star  !   thou  shalt  know 
Better  shine  lowly  than  have  me  for  foe  ! 

\Exit  Sakamune. 


End  of  Scene  2. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  27 

ACT  I. 

Scene  3. 

An  apartment  in  the  house  <?/"Wataru  Watanabe.  His 
wife,  the  Lady  Adzuma,  and  her  mother  Koromoga- 
WA,  are  discovered,  sitting  upon  the  mats,  and  convers- 
ing.    A  samisen  {Japanese  guitar)  lies  near  at  ha  fid. 

KoROiNioGAWA.  At  what  time  will  thy  Lord  make 
the  august  return. 

Adzuma.  I  know  not  surely,  Mother,  but  at  his 
first  freedom.  Ah,  I  am  a  too  happy  woman  to  say 
so  much,  but  here  only,  and  only  with  me,  finds  he 
delight.  What  have  I  done  to  be  the  luckiest  wife  in 
all  Japan  ?  Hither  will  he  hasten  as  soon  as  the 
Palace  duty  can  be  laid  aside  ;  and  my  life  will  begin 
anew,  as  the  sea-flower  on  the  rock  re-opens  when  the 
tide  comes  back  to  it. 

KoROMO.  The  Kami-sama  grant  thee  long  years  of 
such  innocent    content !     And,    indeed,    he    is   a   good 


28  ADZUMA 

Lord,    and    gentle,    and    gallant.     But    it    is   dangerous 

to  be  overfond    for  us   women,   who   must   abide,   and 

obey,  and  rest  patient  under  all  things. 

Adzuma.  Ah  !   teach  me  how  to  love  a  little,  then ; 
But,  in  the  learning,  like  a  scholar  stayed 
At  the  first  hard  word,  I  should  shut  my  book, 
And  blot  with  tears  the  new  unlovely  love. 
And  change  my  page;  and  so  begin  again 
The  old,  sweet,  easy  lesson, — needing  not 
Teacher,  nor  school — to  love  him  every  day 
A  little  more  than  yesterday,  if  that 
Doth  not  do  wrong  to  yesterday's  great  love 
Which   filled    my    heart   so    full,    there   seemed  no 

room 
For  any  richer  morrows.     Is  there  fear 
A  wife  may  overgive  herself,  to  pay 
In  duty,  dearness,  pleasure,  service,  smiles. 
Her  debt  of  loving  to  her  wedded  Lord 
Who  loves  her,  keeps,  and  guards  and  cherishes  ? 
Oh  !   that  might  haply  be  where  men  will  mete 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  29 

So  much,  and  so  much — hke  commodities — 
Of  trust,  and  truth,  and  faith,  and  tenderness. 
And  dole  each  portion  forth  ;   "  this  for  thy  kiss  ; 
And  this  to  hold  thee  patient,  if  I  see 
Some  fairer  face  outside ;  and  this  because 
Thou  hast  my  name,  art  mother  to  my  child. 
And  holdest  watch  upon  the  money-bags." 
Even  then  'twere  fit,  I  think — as  good  wives  use 
Here  in  Japan — we  did  not  count  with  him 
Koban  for  Koban  of  heart's  golden  coin, 
But  gave  him  all,  in  fast  obedience, 
And  duti fulness,  and  delight  to  serve  ; 
Attending  'till  his  man's  heart  trimmed  th'  account 
And  paid  late  interest  for  fidelities. 
But  for  me,  Mother,  and  this  most  dear  Lord 
Who    lays,  with  both  great  generous  palms,  palm- 
full. 
His  honour,  and  his  name,  and  love,  and  life, 
And  hours,  and  days,   and  joys,  and  thoughts,  and 
heart 


30  ADZUMA 

In  these  small,  feeble,  idle  hands  of  mine, 
How  should  I  love  him  with  a  lesser  love 
Than  all  the  utmost  of  my  grateful  soul, 
And  my  glad  body,  and  my  faithful  blood  ? 
Part  paying,  as  the  bankrupt  traders  do. 
With  all  my  estate  the  debt  too  great  to  reach, 
And  then  a  joyous  prisoner  in  the  gaol 
Of  still  unsatisfied  expectancy  ? 
KoROMO.   My  gentle  Adzuma  !     I  praise  your  words. 
Adzuma.   Mother  !  do  you  remember  how  we  met — 
What  strange  beginnings  of  this  joy  to  be  ? 
KoROMO.   Well  do  I  call  it  to  mind,  Daughter.     You 
grew    up  too    fair    for    my    peace ;  and    many    a   suitor 
begged  you  of  me.      Sakamune  the  Samurai,  you  know, 
was  one  ;  and  the  Lord  of  Idsu  ;  and  Kameju's  father, 
the  good  Dosen,  also   besought  me   to  bestow   you  upon 
Mori  to  ;  yet  I  would  not. 

Adz.   How  I  do  thank  you,  now.  Mother  ! 
KoROMO.      Oh,     I     had    deep    reasons !      There    are 
destinies   which    must    not    mingle  ;    and     besides    you 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  31 

took  it  all  out  of  my  hands,  Adzuma-chan  !  falling  in 
love  with  W^ataru. 

Adz.  Yes,  yes !  he  was  the  one  man  in  the  world, 
and  the  Goddess  herself  gave  him  to  me. 

KoROMO.  I  think,  indeed,  he  was  the  gift  of  our  Lady 
of  Mercy.  Together  we  went  to  the  temple  of  Hase, 
where  I  prayed  hard  that  she  would  choose  a  good 
husband  for  you.  Oh,  how  often  I  pulled  the  tsiina, 
and  struck  upon  the  dora !  For  six  days  I  prayed, 
and  there  seemed  no  answer  coming.  On  the  seventh 
we  met  Wataru,  riding  with  Sakamune. 

Adz.   Yes,  under  the  white  cherry-trees. 

KoROMO.  Oh,  you  remember  Avell  enough,  Adzuma- 
chan.  And  how  shy  you  were !  But  I,  who  saw 
your  eyes  meet,  knew  Kwannon  Sama  had  sent  me 
my  son-in-law. 

Adz.  Okkdsau  !  how  beautiful  and  noble  he  looked  ! 
And  that  evening  again  I  saw  him  from  the  balcony 
of  our  Inn. 

KoRO.MO.   He  saw    you   too,  little   fox  !   but  you  did 


32  ADZUMA 

not  then  guess  what  words  of  love  he  had  sent  to  me 
about  you.  Yet  was  I  perplexed,  for  fair  fruit  may 
cover  evil  seeds,  and  I  could  not  know  whether  he 
was  surely  Kwannon's  grace  to  us,  or  only  a  handsome 
Knight  that  chanced.  Naruhodo,  then  the  dreams 
came  ! 

Adz.  Aye,  Mother,  how  strange  and  sweet  they 
were  !  Oft-times  has  Wataru  told  me  since,  so  that 
I  am  certain  we  had  the  same  vision.  It  seemed 
to  him  that,  awake  and  wandering  with  love-thoughts 
of  me,  he  came  to  our  Inn,  ascended  the  stair-way, 
and,  although  there  were  fifty  chambers,  found  mine 
at  once,  and  pushed  back  a  little  the  slioji  of  it. 
Then  saw  he  me  musing  by  the  lamp-light,  you  and 
the  serving  -  girls  lying  asleep.  And,  being  true 
Knight,  he  would  not,  of  course,  enter  unbidden — 
but  I  rose,  and  beholding  again  that  dear  and  noble 
countenance,  put  softly  back  the  door,  and  drew  him 
within. 

KoROMO.   That  was  too  bold,  my  Child  ! 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  33 

Adz.   Ah  !    Mother,  it  was  in  a  dream,  remember  ! 

KoROMO.   Well,  and  what  spake  he? 

Adz.   Words  so   tender  that  I    could   only   tell   them 
to  you. 

KoROMO.   Tell  me  ! 

Adz.   He  said  : 

"  Dear  Lady  !   from  the  Mansion  of  the  Moon — 

Whose  face  is  moonlight,  and  whose  loosened  locks 

Frame  its  fair  glory  in  witli  clouds  of  night — 

Take  not  again  to  Heaven  those  heavenly  eyes, 

Those  brows  as  delicate  as  distant  hills 

By  evening  misted,  those  red-tinctured  lips 

Which  are  like  new-blown  cherry-blossoms,  moist 

With  morning-dew.      I  do  not  know  your  name, 

Nor  why  I  love  you  so,  nor  what  deep  spell 

Brings  me,  too  daring,  to  your  folded  feet ; 

But  I  know  this,  that  now  for  life  and  death. 

Thine  am  I,  and  thine  only,  heart  and  soul, 

I,  Watanabe!  " 

KoROMO.  What  spake  you  ? 

3 


34  ADZUMA 

Adz.  I  said : 

"  War  aw  a  ga  na  Adzuma — Sweet  Sir  !  " — 
Thus  I  made  answer  in  that  happy  dream, 
"  My  name  unfamed  is  Adzuma,  my  sire 
Was  Yasuhira.     We  were  hither  come 
To  pray  the  Goddess.     And,  because  mine  lieart 
Went  to  you  with  my  eyes  when  we  did  meet, 
I  wish  no  other  man  in  all  tliis  earth 
To  be  my  Lord  ;  and,  if  you  love  me  so, 
I  now  will  love  you,  yes,  for  life  and  death 
Chiyo  mo  ka^varauu  fiifii  zo^ 
Oh,  I  could  talk  so  bold  only  in  dreams  ! 
KoROMO.   And  afterwards  ? 

Adz.  Why,  then  the  morning  light  shot  through 
the  f/iado,  and  I  arose,  and  gave  him  for  a  love-gift, 
— always  in  the  vision, — my  koro,  the  silver  incense- 
pot  I  ever  used  ;  and  he  gave  to  me  one  of  the  bodkins 
from  his  short  sword. 

KoROMO.   All  this  in  the  dream? 

Adz.   Yes  !    but    it  was  so    true  a  dream    that    when 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  35 

day  came  we  had  each  beheld  the  very  same  vision  ; 
and  in  his  hand  at  his  Inn  lay  my  silver  incense-cup, 
while  in  mine,  as  thou  thyself  did'st  see,  dear  Mother, 
was  the  bodkin  missing  from  his  sword. 

KoROMO.  It  was  so,  daughter,  and  I  did  not  doubt 
thereafter  that  the  Daibosatsu  himself,  the  Great  Com- 
passionate One,  had  given  Wataru  to  you.  Sing  me 
now  a  little  song,  Adzuma-chan!  I  love  the  sam- 
iscii. 

Adz.  If  it  be  your  honourable  pleasure.  What 
shall  I  sing? 

KoROMO.   Whatever  you  will. 

Adz.  Then  this  one,  ''  Haori  kakt/sliifc,''  since  my 
Lord  likes  it  well. 

[She  s/'/igs,  acco}npanying  herself  upon  the  samisen.~\ 

She  hid  his  cloak, 
She  plucked  his  sleeve, 
' '  To-day  you  cannot  go  / 
To-day,  at  least,  you  must  not  leave 

The  heart  that  loves  you  so  /  " 
The  window  she  undid 


36  ADZUMA 

And  back  the  shutters  slid  ; 

And  clinging,   cried:   '■'■  Sivect  Lord!  perceive 
The  luhole  ivJiite  world  is  snow  I ' ' 

[A  noise  of  door-opening  is  heard  without.  ~\ 

Adz.    Oya !  oya  >     It   is    his  voice,   his   footstep  !     I 

must  go  to  welcome  him  home. 

\The  house-se/'vants  call  out  "  O  kaeri  /  o  kaeri .'  " 
and  open  the  shoJi.'\ 

Enters  Waturu  ;  Adzuma  kneels  to  him  on  the 
threshold,  saluting. 

O  kaeri  irrashai  I  Vouchsafe  august  return  !  well 
art  thou  welcome,  dear  Lord  ! 

Wataru.  Arigato !  Again  I  hang  in  your  sweet 
eyes  !     Is  all  well  ? 

Adz.  Now  thou  art  here,  all  is  well  !  Be  honour- 
ably pleased  to  sit  !  Did  you  think,  this  long  while, 
upon  Adzuma  ? 

Wat.   Can  a  man  think  without  a  heart  ? 

Adz.  Nay,  surely  !  there  would  be  no  thought  or 
life  if  the  bosom's  beat  were  lacking. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  37 

Wat.  Then,  truly,  I  thought  not  even  once  upon 
thee,  pretty  one  !  for  my  heart  was  left  here  behind 
me,  in  your  lap. 

Adz.  Ah  !  let  me  keep  it  there  still.  I  will  take 
such  care  of  it ! 

Wat.  The  august  Mother !  Ohayo !  \He  salutes 
KoROMOGAWA,  ivith  his  forcJicad  on  the  inats.~\  Is  the 
honourable  health  good  ! 

KoROMO.   I  thank  you  lovingly.      It  is  good. 

Wat.   What !   have  you  been  at  the  music  ? 

KoROMO.  Dojiio !  You  know  x\dzuma  cannot  live 
without  singing  and  poetry.  And  I,  also,  love  the 
music  well.  What  have  you  brought  with  you  in 
these  cloths  ? 

Wat.  'Tis  a  trifle  of  biwa-fruit  and  sweet  cakes 
from  the  Emperor's  kitchen  for  you,  haha-sa>na  ! 
And  for  Adzuma  some  broidered  silk  for  a  girdle,  and 
a  lacquered  writing-box  for  her  poetry-making. 

Adz.  Ah,  then  !  thou  didst  indeed  think  upon  me, 
false    one !     But    now    come    to    thine    ease,    and    let 


38  ADZUMA 

me    be    thy   squire,    and    untie    thine    armour   and    thy 
sword-belt. 

\Slic  unfastens  and  removes  Wataru's  stvords  and 

military  dress,  and  adjusts  upon  him  the  loose 

Yukata,   the  '■^house-gown,'"  and  soft  silken 

belt,  sanjaku-oln.~\ 

KoROMO.   Give   me   leave,   Wataru  san  !      I   will    bid 

the   maids    prepare   gozen    for    thee.     Wilt    thou    have 

roasted    eels    to-night,    or    shall    they    boil    thee    a    fat 

hoi  from  the  fish-pond  ? 

Wat.  As  it  falls,  good  Mother !  as  it  falls  !  'Tis 
meat  and  drink  enough  for  me  to  lay  aside  my  iron, 
and  to  sit  safe  again  in  my  own  house. 

[Exit  KOROMOGAWA. 

Close,  close,  kind  wife  !     Ah,  from  the  noisy  main, 
Where  roll  and  break  rough  waves  of  salt  affairs, 
Ambitions,  plans,  policies,  plots  and  wars. 
And  the  wild  winds  blow  of  our  mortal  weather, 
How  good  it  is  to  be  the  ship  that  shoves 
Straight    o'er   the    furrowed  sea,    with  sails   braced 
scjuare 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  39 

And  helm  set  hard  for  port ;   and,  so  to  come — 
The  hoUday  breezes  whisthng  in  the  ropes, 
The  merry  dolphins  racing  us  for  sport, 
The  friendly  headlands  shutting  safely  in, 
The  billows  gently  falling  from  their  foam 
To  peace,  and  equal  ripples — into  port, 
And  there  cast  anchor,  where  the  quiet  keel 
Rides  doubled  on  her  shadow  in  the  Sun. 
Adz.   Yea,  and  dear  ship  !   how  good  to  be  the  port 
Which,  glad  to  have  her  noble  vessel  home. 
Opens  its  heart  to  take  the  brave  bulk  in  ! 
Forget  upon  my  breast  what  storms  did  swell, 
What  evil  weathers  irked,  what  troublesome  seas 
Dashed  at  thy  gallant  bows  their  bitter  spray. 
Or  sought  to  snatch  thine  ensign,  where  it  flew 
Bright  emblem  of  thy  bold  nobility. 
Here  art  thou  safe,  indeed,  for  'twixt  the  brunt 
Of  any  outer  tempest  brewed  for  thee, 
Or  distant  gathering  of  dark  clouds  that  brood 
Woe  to  the  seaman,  stand  my  steadfast  guards, 


40  ADZUMA 

My  harbouring  arms,  my  love,  humble  but  strong, 
My  life  wrapped  round  thine  honour  and  thy  life 
Even  like  the  haven-walls,  that  must  go  down 
Before  the  ship  within  takes  injury. 
Wat.   Dear  placid  Port  !  I  moor,  and  rest  in  thee. 

Enter  O  Tama, 

Tama.  Sir  Sakamune  stands  at  the  gate,  and  would 
have  admission.      It  is  an  urgent  business. 

Wat.  Why  then,  give  him  honourable  entrance  !  'Tis 
a  well-spoken  knight. 

Enter  Sakamune. 

Sakamune.  Salutations  to  this  august  House  !  The 
Lady  Adzuma  !  In  truth  'tis  long  since  I  hung  in  those 
most  honourable  eyes  ! 

Enter  Koromogawa. 

Oh  !    and    the    Lady   Koromogawa  !      Makoto  ni  sJiiba- 
raku  !     Is  the  high  health  well  ? 
Wat.    \Ve  thank  you,  well  I 


OR   THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  41 

Saka.  I  make  unexcused  intrusion.  Pray  you,  for- 
give !  but,  indeed,  I  am  come  upon  a  well-meant  er- 
rand. 

Wat.  In  any  case,  you  are  welcome.  Sir  Samurai  ! 
Condescend  to  take  this  cushion. 

Saka.  I  humbly  thank  you.  And  I  thank  the  beau- 
tiful Lady  of  the  house,  and  the  august  Mother. 

Wat.   You  will  touch  a  cup  of  sake  with  us,  fair  Sir  ? 

Saka.  I  beseech  your  lofty  pardon  !  I  come  but  to 
go.  My  horse  outside  draws  quick  breath  from  the 
speed  which  brought  me  hither. 

KoROMO.   What  made  you  ride  so  hard  ? 

Saka.  To-morrow,  Madam !  the  Emperor  opens,  in 
all  state,  our  new  bridge  in  Kyoto.  It  will  be  a 
gallant  sight  !  I  am  second  in  charge  of  the  show, 
and  have  at  command  fine  places,  if  it  would  please 
the  Lady  Adzuma,  and  her  mother,  to  look  upon  our 
holiday  doings. 

Adz.   Oh  !  I  long  to  see  them. 

Wat.      Why,    go    then,    Adzuma  !     and    thou,    too, 


42  ADZUMA 

Okkdsan !     I    would    myself  conduct    you,    but    that    I 
hold,  to-morrow,  the  palace-gates. 

Adz.     We   thank   you    frankly.    Sir !      Assuredly   we 
will  go. 

Saka.    So  !    that  is   well — very  well  !     I   shall  be  the 
best   paid  messenger  in   all   the   City   if  my  errand   has 
brought    you    pleasure.       Now    will    I    take    worshipful 
permission.     Sayonani  I 
All.   Domo  !  we  greatly  thank  you.     Sayonara  ! 

\Exit  Sakamune. 
\A  /loisc  of  something  falling  is  heard  within.^ 
KoROMO.   A  none,  Girls  ! 

What  have  you,  heedless,  broken  ? 

O  Tama  entering,  agitated. 

Tama.  Madam  !    Nay, 

'Twas  not  our  heedlessness  !     The  effigy 
Of  Buddha  from  the  tokonomd  fell  down 
And  struck  a  gilded  scabbard  of  my  Lord 
Out  of  the  sword-rack.     All  is  since  made  good. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  43 

Wat.  \IaHglnug.'\     If  we  had  enemies,  'twere  ominous  ! 
There  be  some  fearful  folk  would  burn  for  this 
A  sheaf  of  senko  sticks  !     Come,  we'll  to  food: 
The  luck  of  men  lives  in  the  deeds  of  men. 

Adz.   I  think  that,  too.      If  hearts  be  true  and  fast, 
111  fates  may  hurt  us,  but  not  harm,  at  last. 


End  of  Act  the  First. 


ACT   II. 

Scene    i. 

An  open  public  place  in  Kyoto,  upon  which  abuts  a  broad 
newly-built  bridge,  of  red  lacquer  and  gilding.  The 
bridge  and  neighbouring  buildings  are  gaily  decorated 
with  national  flags  and  painted  lanterns.  Crowds  of 
citizens,  in  va?'ious  dress,  throng  the  approaches,  which 
are  kept  by  armed  men. 

Enters  Sakamune,  apart;  in  full  Samurai  costume. 

Sakamune.      What    is't    the    grey  -  beards     mean     by 
"  happiness  "  ? — 
Time  was  I  thought  no  peace  could  be,  no  joy, 
Outside  the  amber  arms  of  Adzuma  ; 
That  all  the  days  of  all  my  richest  years 
Would  be  well  ])awned  to  buy  one  night  with  her. 
Spent  in  a  million  kisses  on  her  mouth. 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  45 

But  now  another  joy  !   a  different  joy  ! 

The  hunter's,  not  the  lover's — yet  as  great, 

Oh,  greater,  keener,  deeper  ;  tinghng  more 

The  vigilant  sense — for  I  shall  see  to-day 

Destiny  dance  while  I  do  pipe.     He — she — 

Will  blindly  meet,  eagle-hot  Morito, 

And  subtle,  lovely,  snake-bright  Adzuma 

Whose    beauty — will   she,    nill    she — draws    men's 

hearts 
As  on  a  bank  in  Spring  the  mamiishi 
Brings  round  her  shining  coils  the  dazzled  birds. 
What's  after,  I  will  heed  :  enough  to-day 
The  snare's  spread,  and  here  comes  my  witless  prey  ! 

Enters  Morito,  armed,  and  splendidly  apparelled. 

Morito.  Is  all  well-set  ?  Are  our  soldiers  posted  ? 
Have  the  roadways  for  the  procession  been  sprinkled 
with  fresh  sand  and  flowers?  And  the  upper  rooms 
of  the  houses, — are  they  cleared  of  such  as  would  dare 
to  stand  higher  than  the  Son  of  Heaven  ? 


46.  ADZUMA 

Saka.  All  the  worshipful  commands  have  been  ful- 
filled. 

MoR.  Bare  thy  bright  sword,  then,  Sakamune,  and 
lay  it  across  thy  knee.  Good  lieges,  all,  Sliita  ni  orii  ! 
Down  upon  your  faces,  quick  !  for  the  Majesty  of  Japan 
cometh. 

\The  populace  prostrates  itself,  and  the  Imperial  Proces- 
sion enters  by  the  bridge  ;  the  Emperor  riding  in  a 
gilded  and  painted  hago,  borne  by  footmen,  fantasti- 
cally attired  ;  the  Ladies  of  the  palacd,  Court  No- 
bles, Samurai,  Attendants,  Dancing  Girls,  ^c, 
^'c,  following.      Banners,  hatamochi,  6^r. ,  ^c. 

\_A  troop  of  young  Girls  dance  the  Echigo-jishi,  with 
accompanying  song  and  chorus.'\ 

Chorus. 

A  junk  came  in  tvith  silks  and  spice, 
Oh,  the  land  of  Japan  is  long  ! 

My  loTcr  is  hoeing  the  I'ows  of  the  rice, 

J  J 'hat  shall  7C'e  sing  for  a  song  ?       &'c.,  d^'c. 

\At  the  departure  of  the  Imperial  train,  the  citizens  raise 
loyal  cries  of'^  banzai  !  banzai .'  "  ("  May  you  live  ten 
thousand  years  .^  ")  and,  amongst  the  departing  crowd, 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  47 

Adzuma  and  licr  Mother,  luith  tlicir  attendants,  are 
seen  entering  their  kago,  to  return  home  ;  and  pres- 
ently disappear  by  the  bridge.  Sakamune  and  MoR- 
ITO  remain  alone. '\ 

Sakamune.  Come,  my  Lord  Morito  !  It  is  well  per- 
formed !  Deign  now  to  wash  the  dust  of  the  vulgar 
from  thy  throat  with  a  cup  of  red- fish  sake,  in  my 
quarters. 

Morito.   Sakamune  !     Sawest  thou  yonder  Lady  ? 

Saka.   What  Lady,  Trifler  ! 

MoR.  Why,  her  !  her  ! — that  most  lovely  woman 
who  passed  hence  a  moment  ago  in  her  cliair  ? 

Saka.  Nay,  indeed,  I  saw  none.  Yet,  again,  that  i.-; 
false,  for  I  saw  scores,  hundreds  !  Nanthodo  !  Every 
petticoat  in  the  City  was  out  upon  us,  I  think,  to 
gaze  at  the  show. 

MoR.  Alio !  nonsense !  This  one  was  to  all  the 
others  as  the  full  moon  to  a  i)ai)er-lantern,  as  the 
white  crane  on  Arashiyama  to  the  sparrow  in  the 
bamboos  ;  as,  as,  as — 


48  ADZUMA 

Saka.  Good  Morito  !  hath  a  flash  from  some  black 
eye  pierced  at  last  that  corselet  where  an  enemy's 
point  could  never  yet  find  its  way  ?  We  thought  you 
proof  against  such  light  assaults. 

MoR.  If  thou  didst  not  mark  her,  it  matters  not. 
But  I  must  know  her  name,  and  house.  I  will  ride 
after  them.  Take  back  the  soldiers  for  me,  and  bid  an 
officer  lead  my  horse  to  the  lane  of  the  persimmon- 
tree,  for  she  passed  thereby. 

Saka.  Kaslii  koniarisliiia  !  I  obey  !  \Asidc\  Now 
fluttereth  my  foolish  eagle  straight  to  his  i)oisoned  meat ! 

\Exit  Sakamune. 
MoR.   \aIonc.'\ 

Have  I  my  selfsame  eyesight,  reason,  will  ? 
Am  I  that  man  ^^•ho  this  morn  buckled  on, 
Over  a  careless  heart,  breast-piece  and  belt 
Whose    tough   steel   hardly   keeps   the    beat  of  the 

heart 
From    bursting    them    this    hour  ?     Oh    She !     but 
She! 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  49 

Was  ever  such  foriti  seen,  such  heavenly  grace, 
Such  eyes  of  lovehest  hght  beneath  a  brow 
So  even-arched,  so  smoothly  shadowing  back 
Into  that  twilight,  where  the  black  silk  hair 
Shuts    in    the     soft    fair    face?      Yet    'twas    not 

that ! 
Something  beyond  her  glorious  beauty  drew. 
Where  have  I  seen  her  ?     In  what  spot  before 
Were     we     encountered  ?      Nowhere ! — Once    be- 
held 
Would  be  to  be  in  mind  for  aye.     What  voice 
Whispers  me,  then,  that  she  is  Destiny  ? 
I  rave,  and  waste  my  words  :   but  I  must  go 
Whither  she  goes,  be  it  for  weal  or  woe  ! 

\Exit  MoRiTO. 

End  of  Scene  i. 


so  ADZUMA 

ACT    II. 

Scene   2. 

Back  gateway  of  Adzuma's  house.  People,  of  various 
classes,  passing  and  repassing.  A  Fisherman,  toii/i 
/lis  tubs,  comes  out  from  the  entrance  of  the  house, 
as  MoRiTO  approaches. 

Enter  Morito. 

MoRiTO.   Here  she  went    in.      How    may  I    discover 

her    name?     Ah!     doubtless,    this    simple     fellow    will 

know  it. 

Tiie  Fisherman,  wliile   repacking  his  tubs,  and 
adjusting  his  yoke,  sings  : 

"  The  spot  wJiere  one  may  hear 
The  nightingale  sing  clear 

Is  three  '  ri '  from  the  sake- shop 
And  bean-curds  not  too  near  /  " 

MOR.      Oi,    ryoshi .'    hast    sold     all    thy  fish     to     the 
mistress  of  this  house  that  thou  chirpest  so  merrily? 
Fisherman.   Your  pardon,    Danna !      Oh,   your    high 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  51 

forgiveness,  most  worshipful  Knight  !  I  spied  not  the 
august  presence.  My  bones  are  become  as  water  for 
such  boldness. 

MoR.   Nay  !   there  is  no  offence. 

Fisher.  That  is  by  reason  of  your  Honour's  good- 
ness. Why  !  there  be  knights,  lording  it  up  and 
down  our  city  now,  with  two  swords  sticking  out  of 
their  belts,  would  hack  a  poor  man  to  little  pieces,  as 
I  slice  a  tai,  if  they  liked  not  his  song. 

MoR.   The  Emperor's  justice  should  be  done  upon  such. 

Fisher.  NaniJiodo !  Kind  Lord,  it  is  far  from  the 
mouths  of  the  poor  to  the  ears  of  the  Mikado.  As  for 
justice,  we  are  like  the  peoples  of  the  sea.  The  great 
fish  eat  the  little  fish,  and  to  splash  too  much  only 
makes  the  other  big  ones  come.  Our  best  safety  lies 
in  silence,  and  the  shallows. 

MoR.   How,  the  shallows  ? 

Fisher.  I  mean,  worthy  Sir  !  to  be  one  of  a  million 
minnows  in  a  finger's  breadth  of  muddy  water.  Thus 
may  a   poor   man  live,   perchance,    until  such    time   as 


52  ADZUMA 

he   doth    die.     Shall    I    bear  a  fresh  fish,   Sir,  to    your 
honourable  abode  ? 

MoR.  Thou  shalt  earn  the  price  of  a  whole  tub-full 
of  tara,  if  thou  wilt  truly  answer  a  question.  Hold 
up  thy  hand  ;  here  be  silver  bu. 

Fisher.  Domo !  'tis  a  week's  good  fish-selling  to 
me.  I  will  tell  thee  as  much  truth  for  this,  as  ever 
honest  words  can  compass. 

MoR.   Whose  house  is  this  ? 

Fisher.  Why,  everybody  knows  that  much  ;  'tis  the 
yashiki  of  the  Lord  Wataru  Watanabe. 

MoR.  Didst  thou  mark  a  lady  enter  in  her  litter, 
even  as  thou  earnest  forth  ? 

Fisher.  Truly  I  did.  'Twas  Wataru  Sama's  wife, 
the  lady  Adzuma.  And  a  most  gentle,  and  a  most 
noble,  and  a  most  worthy  lady  she  is  !  'Tis  a  piece 
of  sunshine  to  encounter  her  on  the  way,  or  to  sell 
even  an  iicasJii  into  her  hands.  Nay,  if  she  buy  not 
so  much  as  a  single  a7vahi  from  me,  I  am  always 
richer  by  the  sweet  words  of  her  mouth. 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  53 

MoR.  I  thank  thee !  Go  thy  ways  in  peace,  and 
Kompira  Sama,  the  god  of  fishing-nets,  send  thee 
customers. 

Fisher.  I  would  they  might  all  be  like  thee.  Then 
would  I  let  flat-fish  and  shell-fish  for  ever  alone,  and 
sell  only  the  truth.  Truly,  it  is  a  good  commodity 
for  the  markets.  Worshipful  Knight !  I  take  very 
humble  leave. 

MoR.   Fare  thee  well.  \Exit  Fisherman.] 

Adzuma  !  Adzuma !  She, 
then,  is  this  Star  of  women — the  daughter  of  my 
aunt  Koromogawa,  whom,  as  I  do  remember,  my  old 
guardian,  Dosen,  sought  for  me  in  marriage  ;  wedded 
now  to  Watanabe,  my  friend  and  my  fellow-knight. 
Here  therefore  doth  Honour  stay  my  steps.  Yet,  ah, 
her  face,  and  her  form  !  Ah,  to  know  she  is  now 
within  those  lattices,  desirable  as  Heaven,  dearer  than 
life — but,  since  all  this  is  so,  farther  removed  from  me 
than  the  moon  from  the  bird  of  the  night  who  cries 
to  her. 


54  ADZUMA 

Enter  Kameju. 

Kameju.  Are  you  here,  dear   Lord  !     They  seek  you 
all  over  the  city. 

MoR.   Good  Kameju  !   do  you  know  this  gate  ? 
Kam.   Very  well.     It   is    the   gate   of  Wataru  Wata- 
nabe's  house. 

MoR.   Call   it    not   a   house.     'Tis   a   treasure-shrine 
that   holds  a  golden   goddess  ;    a  shell   that  shuts   in   a 
most    priceless    pearl !       I    have   seen    enter   here,   just 
now,   Kameju,   one   that   has  taken   with   her  the   heart 
out    of  my    bosom,    the    peace    out    of  my    days,    the 
strength  out   of  my  sword,    and   well-nigh    the    honour 
out    of  my    knighthood.       Oh !     Kameju,    I    have   seen 
Adzuma,  who  should  have  been  my  wife. 
Kam.  You  know  I  love  you,  Morito.     Long  since, 
My  father  Dosen,  dying — to  whose  care 
Lord  Yasuhira  left  you — spake,  at  brink 
Of  that  world  whence  our  still  ones  speak  no  more, 
Son  Kameju  !   there  is  thy  liege,  thy  chief, 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  55 

Thy   breast  -  brother,    thy   charge !     See    that    thou 

giv'st 
Core  of  thy  heart,  and  spirit  of  thy  soul. 
Strength  of  thy  arm,  and  service  of  thy  blood 
To  Morito  Endo,  as  thy  father  gave. 
Till  death  unbuckles  this  my  blade  from  thee. 
And,  Morito  !   I  have  given  ; — and  I  give. 
MoR.   Right  well  I  wot,  brave  Kanieju  and  true  ! 
Kam.   So  shall  you  better  bear  me,  saying  this  : — 
All  deadly  as  is  sweep  of  steel,  and  dark 
The  chance  of  battle  to  the  soldiermost, 
I  had  liever  see  you,  sweet  Lord  !   thick  beset 
With  thirsty,  sparkling  swords  ;  encompassed  in 
By  reek  and  rattle  of  a  losing  fight — 
So  I  were  there — than  standing  safe  and  sound, 
But  love-smit,  at  the  door  of  Adzuma. 

MoR. — Your  reasons,  my  Kameju  ! 

Kam.  Half,  my  Lord, 

Are  reasonless  :   the  chill  that  steals  the  heat 
Out  of  men's  veins,  when  secret  shadows  pass, 


56  ADZUMA 

When  nameless  perils  creep :   the  sense  we  have — 
Keenest  for  what  we  love,  and  quite  outside 
Work-a-day  wit — of  some  twist  in  the  path 
Which  leads  to  woe  and  fate.      I  shall  not  fright 
Morito  with  what's  womanish.     Well,  then. 
Be  my  plea  thus  :   here  thou  and  Duty  stand 
Friends    yet,    and    nobly    linked  ;     thy    fair    days 

smirched 
With  nothing  misbecoming,  thy  young  name 
Writ  splendid  on  the  scroll  of  chosen  youth. 
The  Emperor's  trusted.     For  those  eyes  of  hers. 
Those   arms   of  hers,    those    beckoning    breasts   of 

hers — 
(Which,  being  given,  are  no  more  to  give) — 
For  one  of  many  a  fair  one  in  this  world 
(This  one  not  yours  to  have) — wilt  set  all  by. 
And  let  them  write  you  down  the  Knight  that  sold 
Fame,  name,  and  virtue  for  a  plundered  bliss  ? 

MoR.   Your  words  are  strong.      So  is  her  loveliness. 

Kam.   Who  brought  you  hither  ;   was't  the  Samurai  ? 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  57 

MoR.   She   brought,   Adzuma   brought  !     The  man   you 
mean 
Never  so  much  as  marked.      On  sight  of  her — 
Like  whose  dehghtful  beauty  in  this  world 
Nothing  hath  been,  or  can  be, — I  was  fain 
To  follow,  as  the  leaf  rolls  with  the  wind. 
As  the  stream  hastens  where  the  valley  slopes. 
I  had  no  will  save  what  the  green  sea  hath 
Obeying  the  white  moon. 

Kam.  Oh  !   be  thyself — 

Mori  to  Musha  Endo.      Did  she  note 
The  trouble  that  her  fair  face  wrought  on  thee, 
This  lady  ? 

MoR.  Not  a  whit !  her  modest  eyes 

Kept  the  ground  meekly,  curtained  off  from  all 
By  veil  of  long-dropped  lashes. 

Kam.  Come  away, 

Dear  Master,  and  forget  !     A  war  is  toward. 
The  Palace  keeps  a  charge  of  note  for  thee  : 
Nothing's  yet  done  amiss  !     Think  that  you  see 


58  ADZUMA 

Your  Father's  spirit  softly  from  his  tomb 
Win  you  to  come,  laying  his  hand  in  yours  ; 
While  I,  this  other  hand,  thy  henchman  true, 
Humbly  constrain.    Come  !    Do  what  none  else  dares, 
Make  thy  proud  heart  yield — conquer  Mori  to  ! 

MoR.    {gloo/nily.')   What    hast    thou    in    the   sword-bag, 
Kameju  ? 

Kam.   I  did  forget.      I  hold  a  message  here  ; 
Wataru  sent  it.     At  the  gaming-bout 
Last  week  you  played  too  rash  ;   you  lost  a  fief 
To  Sakamune,  and,  for  present  lack 
Of  coin,  you  pawned  your  sword,  the  Bizen  one  j 
'Twas  not  well  done,  dear  Lord  :   you  know  that  too  ! 
Of  this  heard  Watanabe,  so  he  took 
Gold  in  a  bag,  and  bought  the  good  blade  back  : 
'Tis  here,  and  with  it,  a  scroll. 

MoRiTO  reads — 

''To  the  very   true  Knight   and   his  Friend,   Morito 
Endo,   Wataru  Watanabe  sends  this,  asking  i)ardon  for 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  59 

too  bold  a  good-will, — his  sword,  to  wit.      'Tis  too  rare 

a   piece    to    be   in    any    hands   save    those    which   have 

oftentimes    wielded    it    manfully.      The    sender    craves 

leave   still    to    live    Lord    Morito's  creditor,    until  such 

time    as    he  be   weary    of   giving    Wataru    pleasure,    or 

luckier  at  the  hazard." 

[MoRiT(3  turns  aivay  impetuously  from  the  door 
^^Adzuma.] 

MoR.   Hold  fast  my  other  hand  ;  I'll  go  with  thee  ! 


End  of  Scene  2. 


6o  ADZUMA 


ACT   II. 

Scene   3. 

A  Banquet-7-oom  in  a  Tea-house,  opening  on  a  Garden. 
Many  high  officers  and  Samurai  seated  upon  the  mats, 
drinking  saize,  and  conversing.  Dancing  girls  per- 
form, witJi  music,  singing,  cr'c.  Painted  lanterns 
and  lamps  illuminate  the  Banquet-room  and  Gar- 
den. MoRiTO,  Sakamune,  Kameju,  and  the  Lord 
OF  Idzu  are  among  the  company,  with  Hojo,  Doi, 
and  Adachi,  all  Samurai. 

Hojo.  I  tell  you  the  old  days  were  the  good  days. 
It  was  merry  in  Jajjan  before  we  fetched  in  from  China 
the  outlandish  letters  and  ways. 

Doi.  Oh,  a  cup  of  sake  with  you,  Sir  !  You  are 
augustly  right  !  The  good  old  times  went  out  with 
the  Shinto  times. 

Lord  of  Idzu.  Yes,  and  the  worst  is  that  the  pretty 
women   have  all  passed   away   with  the  ancient  poetry. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  6i 

faith-  and  manners.  Minamoto  Genji  was  well  ad- 
vised to  spend  his  rainy  nights  railing  at  the  ugly 
faces  of  our  modern  Japan  girls. 

Sakamune.  O  Yuki  !  \fo  a  ]Vaifiiig-iiiaic/'\  fill  u^) 
again  my  Lord  of  Idzu's  sakaziikc,  and  let  him  see 
your  black  eyes  sparkle  over  the  rim  of  it.  He  will 
'  perchance  think  better  of  his  land  then. 

L.  OF  Idzu.  Oh,  she  is  all  very  well  for  a  maiko. 
But  where  are  gone  the  famous  beauties  of  Kyoto  ? 
Who  is  there  now  left  to  match  Inishiyi  with  the 
moon-face,  or  Soto-ori  the  desire  of  her  day,  or 
Komachi,  Avho  wrote  the  verses,  and  was  so  beau- 
teous that  people  bought  the  mirrors  into  which  she 
had  looked,  to  get  dreams  from  them  ? 

Saka.   Think  you  there  are  none  such  now  ? 

L.  OF  Idzu.  I  say  it.  Sir  !  Here  sit  I.  a  Hokumen 
of  the  Court,  that  hath  two  swords,  and  am  of  repute  ; 
yet  her  Ladyship  my  wife  ! — well,  she  hath  not  indeed 
six  fingers,  and  is  not  exactly  shark-skinned  ;  but, 
since  she  hears  me  not,  I    will    honestly    tell    you,    she 


62  ADZUMA 

hath  the  eyes  of  a  monkey,  the  nose  of  a  fox,  and  the 
mouth  of  a  frog. 

Adachi.  Truly,  in  old  times  a  great  nobleman  had 
better  fortune. 

Saka.  She  is  doubtless  an  excellent  Lady  in  the 
dark,  and  a  good  blade  mends  a  bad  scabbard.  It 
won't  do,  however,  to  tell  us  that  Kyoto  holds  no 
perfect  beauty  while  Wataru's  wife  dwells  in  the 
city. 

L.  OF  Idzu.   Is  she  so  fair  ? 

Saka.  Nay,  ask  Mori  to.  He  galloped  away  from 
us  all,  last  week  at  the  Bridge,  only  to  get  a  second 
look  at  an  angel  he  had  spied,  which  angel,  I  heard, 
was  Wataru's  wife. 

Hojo.  I  have  seen  her  ;  and  truly  she  is  of  a  rare 
comeliness.  Wataru's  destiny  is  to  be  envied.  But 
a  most  holy  Lady  !  Oh,  she  hath  no  eyes  except  for 
her  husband,  and  goes  not  abroad  once  in  a  moon, 
.save  to  i)ray  at  the  shrine  of  Kwannon,  or  to  write 
poetry  to  the  plum  and  cherry  blossoms. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  63 

Saka.  She  is  fair  enough.  But  she  is  only  a 
woman,  after  all,  like  the  rest.  Who  wants  may  have, 
if  he  only  knows  the  right  road. 

Hojo.  What  are  you  saying,  'Sir  Samurai  ?  She 
hath  a  husband  whom  she  adores.  Dream  you  she 
is  of  the  flesh  that  makes  a  geisha  or  a  Joro  ?  Why, 
nani/iodo  /  you  set  us  laughing. 

Saka.  O  warai  nasanina  !  Don't  laugh  till  you 
know !  I  am  saying  what  is  true.  The  woman  is 
well  enough :  I  speak  naught  against  her,  specially 
since  Morito  has  cast  his  eyes  that  way.  But  her 
mother  Koromogawa  possesses  an  extremely  base 
mind.  While  Adzuma  was  yet  unpromised  many  a 
good  man  sought  her  for  wife ;  l)ut  Koromogawa 
spurned  them  all,  rejected  even  our  noble  Morito, 
looking  about  for  a  rich  husband,  with  plenty  of  rice- 
bags  and  gold  kohan. 

Hojo.   You  have  drunk  too  much  sake,  Sakamune. 

Saka.  Nay  !  I  am  talking  sooth.  Forgetting  justice 
and  shame,  she  sold  her  pretty  daughter  to  Watanabe  ; 


64  ADZUMA 

and  she  would  sell  her  over  again  to  you,  my  Lord  of 
Idzu  ;  or  to  Morito  ;  if  there  were  only  money  enough 
forthcoming  to  gild  the  palm  of  the  old  bargainer. 

MoR.  \_startiug  up,  and  half  drawing  his  sioord.'\ 
That  is  a  lie,  Sakamune !  And,  were  it  not  a  lie, 
what  intend  you,  to  speak  so  before  this  honourable 
company  of  one  who  was  my  father's  sister?  It  is 
much  if  I  do  not  smite  you. 

L.  OF  Idzu.     Morito,  good  Morito  !  sweet  Lord  Mo- 
rito !   be   patient  !     He   is   thy  friend,  and  only  a  little 
drunk.      Remember,    if  you   draw   point  from  sheath,  a 
Samurai's  sword  cannot  go  back  without  blood  upon  it. 
\_They  succeed  in  irstraining  Morito. 

Saka.  I  was  to  blame ;  I  lay  my  head  at  }-our  feet, 
Endo  Morito  !  The  wine  had  loosened  my  tongue 
too  much.  I  was  a  fool  to  forget  that  one  like  your 
worship  l)ears  an  aunt  no  grudge  for  discarding  him 
as  a  breeder  does  a  half-bred  stud-horse.  It  is  not 
well,  I  see,  to  be  faitliful  to  friends.  If  you  are  angry, 
take  my  head  ;   I  will  not  defend  it. 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  65 

MoR.  Nay  !  but  thou  shalt  not  say  Adzuma  hath  a 
price. 

Saka.  Oh,  I  doubt  not  she  herself  is  innocent 
enough.  I  was  incensed  against  her  mother  for 
despising  you.  If  it  is  for  that  you  would  kill  me, 
strike  !    I  will  not  even  lift  up  my  hand. 

L.  OF  Idzu.   We  think  he  meant  no  wrong,  Morito  ! 

Saka.  How  should  I  mean  wrong  to  Morito  Endo, 
the  best  of  all  my  friends  ?  If  you  forgive  Koro- 
mogawa,  forgive  me  also.  I  was  to  blame ;  I  beg 
forgetfulness. 

MoR.  Why,  then,  let  it  be  forgotten.  I  think, 
indeed,  thou  art  honest.  I  am  over-quickly  moved. 
Thou,  too,  shalt  pardon  my  hot  blood. 

L.   OF  Idzu.   Sa,  sa  .'  this  is  well !     And  now   let  us 

walk  under  the  stars,   and  cool  our  heads.     There  was 

never    trouble    yet    between    good    fellows,    but    some 

woman's  name  brewed  it.     Sa  !  sa  .'   sa  ! 

[Exeunt  Oiniics. 

End  of  Scene  3. 
5 


66  ADZUMA 

ACT    II. 

Scene   4 . 

A  Garden-room  in  Adzuuk's  hoiisr.  Wataru  and  Adzvux 
together.     She  is  perusing  a  Chinese  book. 

Wataru.   What  read  you,  Sweetheart  ? 

Adzuma.  Oh.  a  foreign  scroll 

About  a  far-off  land, — quite  far,  I  think, 
"\Miere,  when  they  would  adjudge  some  one  accused, 
The  man,  or  woman,  was  close  blindfolded, 
And  red-hot  shards  of  brass  from  the  furnace  fire 
Being  then  scattered  in  a  Temple-ground, 
This  he,  or  she,  arraigned,  must  bare-foot  walk 
In  the  fierce  labyrinth  of  that  ordeal. 

Wat.   a  dreadful  test  !     And,  if  the  naked  feet 
Touched  the  hot  brass  ? 

Adz.  Then  that  was  guiltiness; 

And  guiltlessness  showed  only  from  good  luck 
To  thread  the  perilous  pathway  harmlessly. 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  67 

Wat.   I  hope  just  Heaven  would  guide  the  true  feet  safe. 

Adz.   Ah,  if  it  did  !   but  I  must  think — alas  ! 

That,  oftentimes,  the  false  foot  came  through  well, 
While  th'    innocent   stumbled   'gainst    the    blazing 

bars. 
Life  sometimes  seems  to  me  like  that  hard  test. 

Wat.   Wherein,  my  Pearl  ! 

Adz.  Because, — tread  as  we  will. 

With  never  so  much  heed,  the  path  of  the  years, — 
Fate,  or  our  foes,  or  relics  of  old  faults 
Sow  the  way  with  so  many  snares  for  us. 
Oh,  dost  thou  deem  that  gentle  Heaven,  indeed, 
Would  find  a  safe  road  'mid  the  fires  for  those 
Whose  feet  were  clean  of  wrong  ? 

Wat.  Surely  I  do  ; 

At  last — far-off — nothing  befalls  the  good 
Save  good.     That  I  hold  firm. 

Adz.  If  you  did  see 

My  feet  burned  by  the  brass  ? 

Wat.  Why,  I  should  know 


68  ADZUMA 

The    dull    brass    blundered,    though    a    thousand 
tongues 

Called  thy  hurts  justice. 
Adz.  Dear  and  loving  Lord  ! 

Hold  fast  to  that !     Go  you  on  guard  to-day  ? 
Wat.   'Till  th'  afternoon. 
Adz,  Then  shall  I — by  your  leave 

Ride  with  my  mother  to  the  holy  shrines, 

And  pray  the  goddess  that  she  keep  }'ou  well, 

Nor  weary  yet  of  granting  Adzuma 

Comfort  and  courage  of  Wataru's  love. 


End  of  Scene  4. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  69 

ACT   II. 

Scene  5. 

The  Court-yard  of  the  Hase  Temple  of  the  Goddess 
Kwaniion,  at  Kyoto,  sho7aiiig  front  of  the  Temple, 
ivitli  steps  leading  to  shrine ;  the  praying-rope,  and 
bell ;  the  tank  of  piirifieatory  water,  dr^e.,  c^c. 

Enter   Morito  and  Sakamune. 

MoRiTO.   To  what  end  dost  thou  bring  me  hither? 

Sakamune.  I  will  answer  that  anon.  I  vexed  you 
sorely  at  the  Tea-house  lately.      I  am  sorry  for  it. 

MoR.  I  was  too  hot.  But  thou  spakest  lightly  of 
one  so  sweet,  that,  seeking  to  forget  her,  I  still  ever 
steadfastly  remember.  Oh,  Adzuma  !  why  did  my  idle 
eyes  ever  fall  upon  thee  ? 

Saka.  To  take  pleasure  in  a  fair  face.  It  is  what 
eyes  were  made  for. 

MoR.  I  have  forsworn  all  further  seeing  of  her.  I 
have    received    kindness    from   her    husband,    who    is   a 


^o  ADZUMA 

gallant  and  worthy  knight ;  and  Kameju  says  there 
is  no  Lady  in  the  land  more  cherished  by  her  Lord, 
or  happier  in  her  chastity.  Oh,  that  the  wars  would 
come  again  !     I  would  find  peace  in  the  front  of  them. 

Saka.  One  can  be  a  soldier  without  dying,  and 
lover  without  sighing.  Adzuma,  thou  should'st  know, 
belongs  to  thee  by  right. 

MoR.   How  sayest  thou  that  ? 

Saka.  You  will  draw  blade  on  me  if  I  tell  the 
truth. 

MoR.  No!  no!  'Twas  when  you  spoke  ill  of  my 
kinswoman  before  those  sake-bibbers. 

Saka.   And  if  I  speak  ill  of  her  again  ? 

MoR.   Oh,  say  your  say. 

Saka.  I  am  foolish  to  be  so  friendl}-,  but  you  shall 
hear.  There  is  none  oweth  more  to  you  than  your 
Aunt  Koromogawa.  She  owed  you  Adzuma,  and 
cheated  you  out  of  payment. 

MoR.    If  I  thought  that  ! 

Saka.   If   you    thought    that,    would    you   sit    tamely 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  71 

down,  and  suffer  the  lily  planted  for  you  to  bloom  in 
another's  garden.  You — named  hoki/incn  at  twenty — 
would  you  let  the  fox  eat  what  was  meant  for  the  tiger  ? 

MoR.   No  !   no  ! 

Saka.  You  have  seen  Adzuma.  You  know  what  has 
been  lost — the  Jewel  of  her  time  ;  the  Star  of  women  ; 
the  fJLiirest  spouse  that  ever  lay  on  a  man's  breast.  But 
if  you  have  sworn  patience,  why  should  I  speak  more  ? 

MoR.   Nay,  go  on  !   go  on  ! 

Saka.  Well,  then,  Koromogawa,  I  say,  owes  every- 
thing to  your  father.  She  was  poor,  friendless,  and 
the  daughter  of  a  concubine,  praying  daily  to  the 
goddess  for  a  husband.  One  night  she  fell  asleep  in 
the  Temple  and  dreamed  that  Kwannon  appeared, 
and  bade  her  take  the  Iiaori  from  a  woman  slumbering 
beside  her.  She  awoke,  and  saw,  indeed,  a  lady  sleep- 
ing near,  from  whom  she  stole  the  garment,  and 
departed.  On  the  road  a  knight  was  riding,  Jiro 
Yasuhira,  who  looking  in  her  face,  courteously  saluted 
her,  and  said  :    ••  I  ha  J   a   dear  wife,  who  is  dead  :    and 


72  ADZUMA 

I  have  sworn  never  to  take  another,  until  1  found  one 
exactly  resembling  her  in  countenance  and  figure. 
Last  night  I  dreamed  I  should  encounter  such  an  one 
dressed  in  a  blue  /laori,  and,  in  truth,  you  are  just 
like  my  lost  wife."  Upon  this  Koromogawa  con- 
fessed what  she  had  asked  from  the  goddess,  and  how 
she  also  had  dreamed  ;  after  which,  thinking  it  all  the 
decree  of  destiny,  they  went  to  Oshu  together,  and 
Yasuhira  took  her  for  wife. 

MoR.  'Twas  that  same  Lord  who  slew  the  great 
white  eagle  ? 

Saka.  That  same !  Well  !  very  happily  dwelled 
they  together,  until  they  came  again  to  Kyoto,  and 
then  a  little  thing  turned  out  for  Koromogawa  a 
large  matter. 

MoR.   It  is  often  so  ;   naniliodo. 

Saka.  A  tame  dove,  jjursued  by  a  kite,  flew  for 
refuge  into  Koromogawa's  litter.  Having  rescued 
and  returned  it,  the  mistress  of  the  dove  invited  your 
Aunt    to    come  within   and    take    repose  ;    and  she  was 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  73 

hosjjitably  entertained  by  this  Lady,  who  was  none 
other  than  Shiraito,  the  wife  of  Endo  Morimitsu,  your 
mother.  Growing  friendly,  your  Aunt  told  all  the 
story  of  the  dream,  and  of  the  blue  /laori  which  she 
had  stolen  ;  and  what  shame  she  still  felt,  though  it  had 
obtained  her  a  husband  ;  so  that  — spake  she,  "  I  would 
give  a  thousand  lyo  to  find  the  owner,  and  restore  it." 

MoR.   That  is  not  like  the  bad  spirit  you  alleged. 

Sara.  Oh,  it  is  to  you  alone  that  she  is  so  evil. 
Shiraito  enquired  if  the  garment  was  of  blue  silk, 
with  gold  chrysanthemums  upon  it,  and  Koromogawa 
answering  "Yes,"  they  bade  a  servant  bring  it  from 
the  litter ;  whereupon,  steadfastly  regarding  it,  Shiraito 
exclaimed,  "  That  is  my  haori  !  I  was  she  who 
slumbered  in  the  Temple  !  " 

MoR.   Is  this  all  certain  ? 

Saka.  Oh,  it  is  true.  Koromogawa  was  both  re- 
joiced and  ashamed.  But  your  mother  comforted  her, 
saying  it  was  the  way  and  will  of  the  Mi-Hotoke,  and 
your    father,     Morimitsu  —  entering    just    then  —  made 


74  ADZUMA 

her  also  courteous  cheer.  Presently,  observing  the 
silver  dagger  which  she  had  laid  aside,  he  asked : 
"Whence  got  you  this?"  Koromogawa  replied,  "It 
was  the  keepsake  of  my  mother,  from  my  father, 
when  he  sent  her  away."  "  Right  well  I  know  it," 
said  Morimitsu,  "  it  was  the  parting  gift  of  my  father 
to  his  concubine,  and  you  are  my  younger  sister ! 
How  wondrously  have  we  met !  I  see,  indeed,  in  you 
the  features  of  my  sire."  Presently,  in  came  Yasuhira 
also,  having  found  out  where  his  wife  was  entered  ; 
and  they  all  made  good  cheer  together,  and  drunk  the 
"  three  cups  "  of  relationship. 

MoR.   'Tis  very  strange  ! 

Saka.  Afterwards  they  lived  affectionately  in  one 
place,  and  thou  wast  born  of  Shiraito,  and  afterwards 
Adzuma  of  Koromogawa.  So  it  was  designed  by  your 
father  and  uncle  to  marry  you  to  your  cousin.  Put 
Yasuhira  died,  and  Morimitsu  too,  and  the  I.ady 
Shiraito.  Your  aunt  alone  survived  ;  and  Dosen,  your 
guardian,  when  you  came  to  age  begged  Adzuma  from 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  75 

her  for  your  wife.  Now  'tis  certain  she  should  have 
given  her. 

MoR.   Why,  I  think  that,  too. 

Saka.  It  was  a  vile  thing,  and  a  wrongful — I  say — 
to  set  thee  aside  ;  son  of  her  brother,  who  had 
wrought  her  such  benefits.  Adzuma  was  bestowed 
on  Watanabe  for  his  gold,  and  his  great  estates — 
but  she  was  thine  by  will  of  the  dead — and  thou  didst 
but  desire  thine  own  when  thine  eyes  fell  lately  upon 
her  loveliness.  Howbeit,  since  thou  hast  now  resigned 
her,  our  priests  will  praise  thee,  if  not  our  soldiers. 

MoR.  This  is  new  to  my  ears.  To  all  the  devils 
with  the  i)raise  of  the  priests  !  I  am  not  he  whom 
any  one  can  wrong  without  paying  for  it. 

Saka.  Nay  !  but  Kameju  hath  told  thee  how 
sweetly  they  dwell  together  —  what  love-beds  ;  what 
warm  times  ;  what  secret  comforts  Wataru  hath  with 
thy  lost  wife. 

MoR.  Hold,  Sakamune  !  or  I  shall  strike  thee,  whom 
I  should  rather  thank.      Uoth  Adzuma  know  of  this? 


76  ADZUMA 

Saka.  Not  one  whit  !  They  have  kept  it  very 
heedtully  from  her  and  from  thee.  Had  she  once 
seen  thee,  Watanabe  would  soon  find  her  kisses  grow 
colder.     The  bond  of  past  existences  is  strong  ! 

MoR.  Would  that  I  might  yet  again  gaze  upon  her 
sweet  face  ! 

Saka.   Art  in  earnest?  dost  then,  indeed,  desire  that? 

MoR.  As  dry  throats  desire  water ;  or  blind  eyes 
light ;  or  dying  men  breath. 

Saka.  Why,  turn  thee  round,  then,  and  look  who 
repairs  hither  to  prayers.  I  brought  thee  here,  be- 
lieving she  would  come. 

Enters  Adzuma,  witli  her  Mother  and  Attendants,  not 
perceiving  Morito  and  Sakamune.  She  takes  water 
from  the  Saikai  font,  and,  washing  her  hands,  as- 
eends  the  temple-stairs,  sounds  the  prayer-hell,  and 
stands  awhile  praying  before  the  shrine,  witli  head 
bowed,  and  clasped  palms. 

MoR.    {watching  her  with  a  rapt  air). 

Tiiou  marvel  !   thou  fair  joy  ! 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  77 

Framed  of  delightfulness  and  finished  sweet 
From  brow  to  foot  witli  wliat's  desirable  ! — r 
Thee  they  have  stolen  from  me  !     And,  what's  left? 
What's  left — having  seen  such   loss — but  desperate 

will 
To  win  thee  back,  though  twenty  furious  swords 
Deny  ;   though  gods  forbid ;   though  fates  forecast 
Sorrow,  and  horror,  and  the  end  in  shame  ? 
What's  left — in  all  the  lesser  things  on  earth 
Ambition,  honour,  greatness,  pride  of  praise. 
Pleasures  of  life,  joy  of  glad  battle,  gold, — 
Save  dust  and  ashes,  matched  with  that  one  gain 
Of  one  good  moment  in  those  heavenly  arms  ? 
They     have     stol'n     thee     from     me,    star-bright 

Adzuma  ! 
But  I'll  have  back  my  treasure,  if  I  thrust 
Souls  to  perdition  for  my  wrongful  right ! 

Adzuma   noiv  descends,  with   her  Mother ;  and,    observ- 
ing Sakamune,  they  salute  him. 


78  ADZUMA 

Sakamune.     Good    morrow  !     noble    Ladies.     To    your 
prayers  . 

The    Gods   must  listen.     \_To   Koromogawa]    'Tis 
your  kinsman  here, 

Lord      Morimitsu's     son.       \To      Adzuma]      Fair 
Adzuma, 

This  is  your  husband's  friend,  Sir  Morito  ; 

The  best  sword  of  our  Court. 
Adz.  Hajimcmasliiic  !  * 

I  am  much  honoured  to  encounter  you. 
MoR.   I  pray  you,  at  this  first  you  see  of  me, 

To  hold  me  in  your  kindness. 
Adz.  L  ill  yours 

Would  rather  ask.      My  husband's  friend  must  be, 

In  simple  sequence,  friend  of  Adzuma. 
MoR.    I  am  happy  with  but  that  one  word  from  you. 

Come  you  with  Lord  Wataru,  oft,  to  Court, 

Cousin — and  friend  ? 


The  Japanese  word  at  a  first  introduction. 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  79 

KoROMOGAWA.  Nay  !   we  are  stay-at-homes, 

Good  Nephew,  getting  news  of  your  great  world 
As  it  sifts  through  the  sJioji.      Pardon  us 
If  we  crave  leave  :   our  little  household  waits. 

MoR.   Farewell  ! 

[Adzuma  and  Koromogawa  walk  aside  with  their 
attendants. 

So  have  I  seen  Heaven's  gate-way  gleam  again  ! 

Saka.   Gate    with    a   key  !      Didst    thou    not    mark    her 

look  ? 

She  would  have  tarried,  but  the  mother  drew. 

\Exeunt  Morito  and  Sakamune. 

[Adzuma  and  KorOiMOGAwa  come  forivard  to  take 
departure. 

Adz.   Oh  !   Mother,  in  my  veins  I  feel  a  thrill 
As  if  my  blood  iced.     What  is  ill  with  me? 

KoROMO.   Let   us  haste  homeward,    Daughter  !     This 
is  ill, 
And  happens  not,  except  by  Fate's  hard  will. 

End  of  Act  the  Second. 


ACT    III. 

Scene    i  . 

The  Gateway  of  a  "Yashiki,^^  or  eity  inausion  in  Kyoto. 

Enter  MoRiTO  and  Sakamune. 

MoRiTO.  Will  you  still  say  she  cast  eyes  of  pleasure 
upon  me? 

Sakamune.   What  else?     what  else? 

MoR.  Since  I  heard  the  truth  of  Koromogawa's 
ungratefulness  I  bear  another  and  a  more  angry  mind. 

Saka.  She  owed  you,  for  your  father's  kindness, 
not  Adzuma  only,  but  her  own  good  name,  her  happy 
days,  her  easy  life. 

MoR.  That  is  .so  indeed.  Except  for  my  mother 
taking  her  as  sister,  she  was  a  robber  of  ai)parel  in  a 
tem])le. 

Saka.  And  that  is  a  crime  for  the  executioner. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  8i 

MoR.   I  have  her  thus  at  my  mercy. 

Saka.  Yet  you  would  have  drawn  sword  upon  me 
in  the  tea-house,  for  saying  a  Hghter  thing. 

MoR.  I  did  not  know.  Forgive  it !  I  thought  kin 
must  be  kind.  It  was  a  bitter  deed  to  deny  Adzuma 
to  my  father's  son,  when  Dosen  asked  for  her. 

Saka.  Never  was  knight  worse  used.  But  Adzuma 
had  no  part  in  it. 

MoR.  Would  it  have  fallen  otherwise,  had  she  known  ? 

Saka.   It  must  have  fallen  otherwise. 

MoR.  Were  I  but  sure  of  that,  the  wrath  which 
smoulders  in  me,  would  become  flaming  fury.  If 
she,  too,  might  have  desired  me,  the  twenty  thousand 
devils  of  Echizen  shall  not  keep  her  from  my  arms. 

Saka.  What  would  you  do,  if  you  had  it  from  her 
own  hand  that  she  saw  a  better  man  than  Wataru 
the  day  she  met  you  in  the  Temple  ? 

MoR.   She  will  never  go  to  that. 

Saka.   But  if  she  make    you   know  it,   so   that  blind 

eyes  might  read  the  book  of  her  heart  ? 
6 


82  ADZUMA 

MoR.  How  mean  you  ?  If  Adzuma  avowed  it 
would  please  her  well  that  I  had  Wataru's  place  ? 

Saka.   Aye,   I  say  that. 

MoR.  Why,  then  I  tell  thee  again  hell  should  not 
daunt  me,  nor  honour  hold  me,  nor  friendship  fetter 
my  hand ;  nor  pity  stay  me  for  my  father's  sister, 
who  hath  cheated  his  son.  I  would  pluck  Adzuma 
from  Wataru,  though  I  soaked  my  sleeve  in  blood. 

Saka.   'Tis  the  fitting  spirit. 

MoR.   Oh,  but  you  dream. 

Saka.  Some  dreams  come  true.  Have  patience  in 
this  great  love,  which  deserveth  recompense.  She 
whom  thou  dost  desire,  desires  you.  Give  time  and 
place  for  a  woman's  wit  to  work  in.  Those  that  cage 
such  bright  -  feathered  birds  cannot  hinder  them  from 
singing  through  the  bars. 

MoR.  To  what  end  are  these  words  of  ho])e  ?  I  shall 
not  even  cast  eyes  on  her  again.  My  Aunt  will  look  to 
that. 

Saka.    Sayo   ka  ?     Wilt    thou,    tliis    very    week,    see 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  83 

her   face    to    face   anew  ;    nay,    touch    her    robe,    drink 
perchance  from  the  same  cup  with  her  ? 

MoR.  Ask  rather  whether  the  famished  would  eat. 
I  am  mad  to  sit  beside  her  once  more. 

Saka.  Be  patient,  then.  Wataru  comes  back  soon 
from  Nara,  with  treasure  of  the  Emperor.  Afterward 
falls  the  feast  in  the  Maj^le  Gardens,  when  folks  go  to 
gaze  on  the  bright  colours  of  the  autumn.  If  I  know 
of  a  surety  that  Adzuma  will  be  there,  ask  me  not  how. 
For  thy  sake  I  adventure  much. 

MoR.  Thou  art  a  faithful  friend.  We  will  go  to  the 
Maple  Gardens. 

\_Exeunt  Morito  and  Sakamune. 


End  of  Scene  i. 


84  ADZUMA 

ACT    III. 

Scene    2. 

Garden  ^Adzuma's  house,  with  Pavilion  opening  upon 
it.  Adzuma  is  sitting  upon  the  ?nats  there  with  her 
maids,  O  YosHi  and  O  Tama. 

Adzuma.   Our   bravest  garments,  Girls!     We'll   not   be 
shamed 
Even  by  maple-leaves.     To-morrow  falls 
The  great  feast  in  the  groves  of  momiji 
Where  all  the  city  flocks  to  see  the  year 
Put  on  its  autumn  dress,  golden  and  green, 
Scarlet  and  purple,  saffron,  russet,  rose  : 
Ne  ?    maidens    mine  !       This    earth    were   good    as 

Heaven 
If  all  men  lived  as  those  should  live  who  own 
A  house  to  dwell  in,  so  embellished. 

O  Tama.    Okusania  I     What  robe  shall  we  lay  for  you  ? 

Adz.   The  pearl-grey  one  with  ohi  of  i)ink  silk 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  85 

Sown  with  white  stars,  because  my  Lord  Ukes  that ; 
But  you,  my  Tama  !     You,  O  Yoshi  San  ! 
Be  splendid  hke  the  autumn  butterflies, 
Like  Autumn's  self,  though  'tis  your  time  of  Spring: 
Fetch    forth   such   silks,  such   crapes,  such   girdle- 
cloths 
Jiban,  and  kanzashi,  the  maple-leaves 
Shall  flutter  out  of  jealousy.      My  girls  ! 
We  will  be  glad  and  gay.     Wataru  comes. 
Be  sure  you  take  my  writing-box  and  reeds  ; 
I  shall  make  poetry. 

O  Yoshi.  Madam,  you  can 

With  any  that  are  best.     That  last  you  wrote — 
The  uta  of  the  moon — every  one  sings. 

Adz.   How  went  it,  Yoshi  ?  play  it,  if  you  know. 

O  Yoshi  sings  to  her  samisen — 

"  Moon  of  the  autumn-sky  / 
Sentinel,  silver  and  still, 
Where  are  the  dear  ones  that  die  ! 
Is  it  well  ?     is  it  ill  ?  ' ' 


86  ADZUMA 

Adz.   Ah,  Yoshi  !   that  was  in  the  sombre  mood 

Which  sometimes  comes  upon  my  dreaming  string  ; 

Now  all's  for  lightness — since  my  Lord  returns 

On  honoured  errand  of  the  Emperor, 

And  we'll  make  sunshine  for  him  in  the  house 

And  sunshine  out  of  doors,  if  it  be  scant ; 

But,  sure,  I  think  a  day  all  blue  and  gold 

Will  paint  Takawo  for  us.     Give  me  here 

The  samiscu  :  I'll  make  a  happier  strain. 

Adzuma  sings  to  her  own  accompaniment — 

^^  I  would  hide  my  soul,  as  the  Asajiu 
In  the  reeds  of  Ono^s  moorlands  do  ; 

And  none  should  know  me,  or  see  : 
But  the  Asajiu  gleam,  by  their  lloonis  revealed ; 
And  the  gladness  of  love  in  my  bosom  concealed 

Shines  forth  in  despite  of  me  !  " 

Think  you  my  Lord  took  strength  enough  with 

him  ? 
There's  an  ill  league  to  travel  in  those  woods. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE   WIFE  87 

O  Tama.   Dear  Mistress  !   he  is  safe.     What  wicked  men 
Would  stand  to  see  Wataru's  sword  flash  forth  ? 

Adz.   I  think  so,  Tama  !   though  he  had  but  two. 
Besides,  I  still  remember  what  he  said  : 
There  conies  no  evil  to  the  man  that's  good  ; 
So  is  he  safe,  plated  against  all  harm 
By  that  which  cannot  fear,  a  soul  serene 
Doing  no  wrong,  and  dreading  none.     But  I 
Count  the  slow  minutes,  when  he  is  not  nigh. 

\_Excunt  Oiiincs. 
End  of  Scene  2. 


ACT    III. 

Scene  3. 

NigJit'timc.    A  lane  of  bamboos  in  the  outskirts  of  Kyoto. 

Enter   Wataru    armed,    with  two    attendants.       One 
carries  a  package. 

Watar-u.   Give    me    the    Emperor's    packet.      I    do 

not   greatly    like   this  place  at  night   for  those  that  are 

upon  honest  business. 


88  ADZUMA 

I  St  Attendant.  Methought  I  spied  the  shine  of 
a  lantern  just  now,  my  Lord,  in  the  thorn-bushes 
yonder. 

Wat.  Aye !  we  had  done  wiser,  perchance,  to  pass 
with  more  help  through  this  wolf's  mouth.  Give  me 
the  bag,  I  say,  and  look  that  your  swords  are  free  in 
their  scabbards. 

\_Noises  aj-c  heard ^ 

2nd  Attend.  Oh,  Sir !  I  am  hit  in  the  side  with 
an  arrow. 

Wat.   Stand     fast,    now,    with    your    backs    to    this 

clump.     We  will  make  it  warm  work  for  the  knaves. 

\A  1-usli  of  armed  robbers  takes  plaee  upon  the  tittle 

party.      Sharp  pighti/ig  ensues,  in  7uhich  one  of 

Wataru's    tnen  fails  dead,  and  the  other  is 

wounded,  luhile  several  of  the  robbers  are  put 

hors  de  combat. '\ 

ist  Att.  Master  !  Good  Sir  !  look  to  yourself.  My 
fellow  is  slain,  and  I  can  give  you  help  no  longer. 

Wat.  Lie  safe  here  between  my  feet.  They  shall 
not  come  at  thee,   nor  at   the  charge  we  carry,  while 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  89 

this  blade  can  bite.  \Hc  strikes  dead  an  assailant^ 
Ha,  foul  thief!  down  with  thee  to  poison  the  whole- 
some grass  with  thy  blood.  Now  for  another, — and 
another  ! 

\He  wounds  two  more,  but  is  very  hard  pressed,  when 
MoRiTO  enters,  with  an  armed  servant.  They 
engage  the  robbers.'\ 

MoR.  Hott,  hott .'  A  knight  of  the  Court  beset, 
and  at  long  odds  !  Stand  behind  me  a  moment,  Sir  ! 
and  take  your  breath,  while  I  carve  my  swordmaker's 
name  on  these  scoundrels. 

Wat.  Nay,  but  I  will  stand  at  thy  side,  valiant 
gentleman  !  'Tis  a  new  sword-arm  to  me  to  see  thee. 
Naruliodo !  well  struck  !  [Morito  hews  a  robber 
doitni,  and  the  rest  take  to  flight. '\  The  rogues  are 
all  away.     They  have  stomach  for  no  more  steel ! 

MoR.   Are  you  hurt.  Sir  ? 

Wat.  Not  a  scratch,  but  one  of  my  poor  servants 
is,  I  fear,  dead,  and  the  other  sorely  wounded.  You 
have    saved.  Sir !    the     Emperor's    private    letters    and 


90  ADZUMA 

treasure,  with,  what  is  of  less  moment,  the  Hfe  of  your 
grateful  servant  Wataru  Watanabe. 

MoR.   Wataru  ! 

Wat.  The  same,  albeit  more  scant  of  breath  than 
is  wont  with  him.  Most  welcome  friend  !  I  beseech 
you  raise  your  face-piece  that  I  may  see  the  man 
whom  I  must  henceforth  love. 

MoR.  Be  pleased  to  pardon  me.  I  desire  not  to  be 
known. 

Wat.  Yon  are  as  modest,  Sir,  as  you  are  brave, 
which  is  to  say  much. 

MoR.  It  is  not  that.  Sir  !  Indeed  I  do  not  de- 
serve your  praise.  Any  soldier  would  do  as  I 
did. 

AVat.  Came  you  by  hazard,  then,  upon  my  one- 
handed  battle  ? 

MoR.  By  hazard  only,  Lord  Wataru  ;  I  and  my 
servant  were  returning  to  the  city. 

Wat.  Had  you  dropped  from  Heaven,  it  could  not 
have  been  more  timely. 


OR   THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  91 

MoR.  I  am  glad — and  sorry  !  Beseech  you,  let 
me  pass  unciuestioned.  The  way  is  safe  now, 
and  I  will  send  those  who  shall  succour  your 
man. 

Wat.  I  would  dare  believe  I  know  your  voice, 
gallant  Sir  !  This  is  a  service,  look  you,  done  to 
the  Emperor's  Majesty,  who  will  demand  of  me  the 
name  of  so  worthy  a  knight.  Suffer  me  to  be  able 
to  extol  you  to  him. 

MoR.  Of  your  kindness  hold  me  excused  !  By 
your  honourable  leave  I  will  now  sheath  my  sword, 
and  be  gone. 

Wat.  Ah !  that  sword  !  Surely  I  remember  the 
hilt  !  If  it  be  now  in  its  master's  hand, — and  none 
other  in  Japan  could  so  well  wield  it — you  are  Morito 
Musha  Endo. 

MoR.  \_uncovcriug  his  face.']  Since  you  will  know 
me,  Wataru,  it  must  be  so.      I  am  Morito. 

Wat.  Now  can  I  tell  of  thy  valour  in  the  Court  ; 
as    well    as    of    thy    knightly   silence.     If    thou    must 


92  ADZUMA 

depart,  take  with  thee  my  truest  thanks.  Nay,  I  pray 
thee,  if  thou  goest  to-morrow  to  the  Maple-valley, 
deign  entrance  into  my  tent  there,  and  drink  a  cup 
of  rice-wine  with  us ;  when  Adzuma,  my  wife,  shall 
speak  better  gratitude  for  me.  I  must  now  lead  my 
poor  vassal  to  a  shelter. 

\Exit  Wataru,  supporting  his  servant. 
MoR.     \wiping  his   sword    blade    and    slowly    sheath- 
ing //.] 
Sword  !  thou  hast  paid  thy  master's  heavy  debt ; 
For  that  his  better  part  gives  thee  good  praise ; 
Sword !     thou    hast   saved    the  life    which,    like   a 

stream, 
Runs  broad  and  strong  between  my  love  and  me, 
For  that  my  worser  part  cries  curse  on  thee  ! 
Ah  dearest,  deadliest  beauty  !     Hoped  I  not 
That  this  Lord's  wife  would  fain  be  fere  of  mine 
Then, — at  that  minute, — when  his  heart  was  large 
With    generous    heat,    I    would    have   caught    his 
neck 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  93 

And  cried  :    "  Help  me  !  if  I  have  holpen  thee  ! 
Take   now   my    blade    and   stretch   me   stark   and 

dead 
With  these  less  guilty  carcasses  ;  or  take 
Thy  wife  away  out  of  my  eyes,  and  ways. 
My  mind  and  life,  lest  I  go  mad  for  her." 
Then  Sword  !     I  could  have  worn  thee  worthy  still, 
But  now  what  must  and  will  be — must,  and  will ! 


End  of  Scene  3. 


94  ADZUMA 

ACT    III. 

Scene  4. 

A  beautiful  valley  outside  Kyoto,  full  of  maple-trees,  dis- 
playing various  rieh  colours  of  the  autumn.  A  stream 
runs  down  the  valley,  and  on  either  side  of  it,  holiday- 
makers  sit  in  groups,  enjoying  the  air  and  landscape. 
The  wealthier  and  more  exclusive  have  established 
tents  or  booths,  by  hanging  curtains  of  many  hues  from 
tree  to  tree,  or  suspending  them  upon  bamboo  poles. 
Such  an  enclosure  is  seen  to  the  left  of  the  stage,  be- 
side the  strea?n,  with  ?tear  at  hand  a  maple-tree,  under 
which  the  party  ^Adzuma  a/z^  Wataru  is  lodged. 

Adzuma.    [lifting  the   curtain    and  coming  forth,  with 
her  two  Attefidants.'\ 

Oya  !  my  maids  !     I  gave  you  leave  to  match 

Your  i)rettiest  gowns  with  Autumn's  dying  dress, 

Yet  she  outglories  you.      O  Yoshi,  look  ! 

Would  you  not  say  the  evening  had  dropped  down 

Out  of  its  sky  upon  this  lovely  vale, 

And  dyed  it  sunset-colours  ?     Tama,  look  ! 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  95 

Would  you  not  say — if  not  the  sky  of  eve 
Fall'n,  to  fix  so  its  purples,  pinks,  and  greens, 
Which  else  are  fled  before  the  eyes  can  feast 
Full  of  their  wonder — then,  a  fairy  grove 
Planted  by  peoples  of  the  under-world 
Out  of  the  treasures  of  their  under-world 
■    Red  gold,  and  burning  brass,  and  starry  gleam 
Of  silver,  and  swart  copper's  sombre  glow. 
With  soft  lights,  here  and  there,  of  sard  and  jade, 
And  hard,  of  coral  and  of  carbuncle  ? 
How  fair  it  is  !  how  fresh  the  air  !  how  glad 
These  city  folks  ! 

O  YosHi.  Okitsdma  !     So  it  is  ; 

Yet  best  I  like  the  tender  time  of  the  Spring 
When  the  i)lum  covers  all  our  hills  with  snow, 
And  afterwards  the  rosy  cherry  breaks. 

O  Tama.    Ah  !   but  they  fade  so  soon,   the   blooms  of 
Spring, 
One  is  so  sorry,  seeing  them,  to  know 
We  shall  not  see  them  Ion  a:. 


96  ADZUMA 

Adz.  Why,  that's  a  song 

"  Hana  no  irowa,''^  and  it  ends  thus — 

She  touches  the  samisen  and  sings — 

"  Oh  blood-red  bloom  of  the  cherry  ! 
Did  you  come  for  pleasure  or  pain  ?  " 

O  Tama.   I  like  the  Summer  best,  when  no  one  fears 
The  wind  will  plunder  what  the  sunshine  gave, 
Or  Winter's  snow  come  back,  for  jealousy, 
To  shroud  the  cherry  boughs.     Then  no  one  goes 
One  day  without  delight  of  scent  and  tint. 
First  there's  t\\Q  yamabuki,  lacquers  us 
The  hill-sides  with  its  gold  ;  and  next  there  bloom 
Rain-roses,  silvering  them  ;  and  then  there's  flush 
Of  pink-eyes  in  the  rice-fields ;  and  the  lanes 
Are  lighted  with  the  fire-fly  buds  and  flame 
Or  red  azaleas  ;  and,  when  those  burn  down. 
Why,  there's  they"///'/  swinging  lilac  links 
Of  sweetness;  and  the  ki?-i, — sweeter  still; 
And  there's  the  iris,  floating  purple  flags, 
Zakuro  with  red  coral  blooms ;  screw-flowers. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  97 

Moon-flowers  and  crane-flowers,  and  the  tiger-tree  ; 
With  hiies — silver,  golden,  blue  and  rose — 
The  Jiiinc-yiiri  one,  that  hath  her  dress — 
Fair  '  princess  '  as  she  is — all  white  and  gold  ; 
And  Jzanoko,  red-dappled  like  a  deer, 
And  ajisai,  which  never  knows  its  mind 
Whether  to  blow  sea-blue,  or  pink,  or  green  ; 
And  lotus  cups  that  come,  clean  as  the  dawn 
Out  of  dark  mire ;  let  be  green  leagues  of  rice 
Waving  pearled  feathers  ;  with  the  kikii  last 
The  Emperor's  blossom,  filling  up  the  year. 

Adz.   Why,  you  have  made  a  garden  of  your  words  ! — 
But  Tama  !   'tis  an  Emperor's  blossom,  too, 
The  cherry.     Oh  !   a  thousand  years  ago 
There  fell  into  King  Richiu's  cup  a  leaf 
Of  the  wild  cherry-flower,  and  Richiu  said  : 
"  This  is  the  fairest  flower  in  all  the  world, 
Cover  my  kingdom  with  it  !  " 

O  YosHi.  Every  time 

Is  good,  if  we  have  eyes. 
7 


98  ADZUMA 

Adz.  Yes,  every  time  ! 

Now,  girls  !   we'll  go  within,  and  warm  the  wine, 
And  set  the  sake-cups.     By  turn  of  the  sun 
Wataru  will  be  here,  and  I've  a  thought 
To  make  to  a  verse. 

O  YosHi.  Madame  !   'tis  strange  our  Lord 

Was  so  beset  last  night,  and  Mori  to 
The  knight  to  help  him. 

Adz.  Yes  !   O  Yoshi  San, 

Scarce  have  I  slept  for  joy,  since  he  came  back 
With  dints  of  wicked  weapons  on  his  mail, 
But  safe,  oh,  safe  !     Grace  to  the  goddess,  safe  ! 
Grace,  too,  to  that  brave  friend  who  stood  by  him. 
'Tis  strange  my  mother  loves  not  INIorito, 
But  I,  until  I  utter  all  my  heart 
Will  not  touch  food.     Oh  !   a  true  knight,  I  deem. 
And  goodly — and  my  cousin.      'Twere  not  well 
We  stinted  kindliness  if  he  should  come. 
[Adzuma  and  her  maids  re-en fc?-  behind  the  curtains. '\ 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    IVIFE  99 

Enter  Morito  and  Sakamune. 

Sakamune.  'Tis  an  odd  matter,  truly,  that  you 
should  have  lighted  last  night  upon  Wataru,  in  his 
need. 

MoRiTo.  lya !  I  little  wished  for  it.  I  was  re- 
turning with  my  servant  from  the  hills,  thinking  much 
more  of  his  fair  wife  than  of  him. 

Saka.  NariiJiodo !  Had  I  been  Morito  Endo, 
Wataru  Watanabe  should  have  been  left  to  his 
chances. 

MoR.  Doubtless,  doubtless !  You  love  him  less 
even  than  I  ;  but  I  saw  not  plainly  his  face  in  the 
melee,  and  my  blade  leaps  of  itself  from  the  sheath, 
when  it  hears  the  music  of  steel  upon  steel. 

Saka.  If  the  thieves  had  slain  him,  how  easy  had 
been  your  way  to  Adzuma's  arms. 

MoR.  Tempt  me  not  to  ill  thoughts.  Samurai  !  I  am 
desperate  enough  as  it  is,  and  already  on  the  straight 
road  to  evil,   as  I  deem,  with   thee   for  guide.     But  I 


loo  ADZUMA 

am  not  yet  come  to  that  mind  where  I  could  stand  ty 
and  see  a  knight  of  Japan  fight  alone  against  half-a- 
dozen  villains. 

Saka.  As  thou  wilt.  Know  you  who  sits  yonder 
in  that  tent  with  the  i)urple  and  green  hangings  ? 

MoR.   Nay  !   how  should  I  know  ? 

Saka.  There   is   little  need  to  tell  thee ;    for,   look ! 

of    herself  she    cometh    forth.      Did    I    not    promise    to 

thee  another  sight  of  thy  Adzuma  ? 

[Adzuma  comes  out  of  the  tent  ;  and,  not  observing 
MoRiTO  and  Sakamune,  fastens  upon  a  bough 
of  the  maple-tree,  according  to  Japanese  custom, 
a  poem  written  in  the  native  manner  upon  a 
long  strip  of  gilded  paper,  which  she  leaves 
there,  and  then  again  retires.'] 

MoR.    (greatly  agitated).  My  Adzuma? 

Ah  !   if  .she  were  !     Again,  again,  that  face 
Like  nothing  in  this  world,  becau.se  this  world 
Owns  nothing  else  .so  heavenly  ;  that  fair  shai)e 
Which    when    I   thought  I  had   learned  it,  line  for 
line. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  loi 

Shines  forth  afresh,  and  lo  !   I  find  myself 

Marvelling  I  never  knew  my  star  so  bright  ! 

My  Adzuma  !     Ah,  yes  !     ]\Iy  Adzuma 

If  great  love  had  his  rights,  and  kin  were  kind. 

But  not  to-day,  and  not  to-morrow  "mine  " 

Nor  ever,  as  I  think.     His  Adzuma, 

Who    filched   such   sweetness   from    me !       His    to 

have. 
And  his  to  keep,  and  his  to  clasp  and  stroke, 
And  feast  upon,  whom  I  sent  home  alive 
Safe  to  her  out-stretched  arms  and  opened  breast 
Yesternight;  nay  not  I  ! — my  honester  sword. 
My  Adzuma  !     No  !   never,  never  mine 
Except  she  wills  so.     Then,  death  should  not  keep, 
Nor  hell,  nor  any  terrors,  mine  from  me  ; 
My  Adzuma  !     Where  is  that  liar  fled  ? 
I'll  find,  and  make  him  fear  to  mock  at  me. 

[Sakamune  has  withdi-awn,  to  gather  up  secretly 
the  taiizaku  or  poem  affixed  to  the  maple- 
bough    by   Adzuma,   luliicJi    has   been    blozo/i 


I02  ADZUMA 

away  by  the  %tnnd  across  the  stream,  and 
picked  up  by  him.  He  no7o  returns,  taking 
the  concealed  manuscript  from  his  s/eeve.'\ 

Sakamune.  Morito  gone?  that's  well!  Let  the 
proud  fool  cool,  while  I  look  at  my  treasure-trove. 
What  have  we  here?  Adzuma's  uta  to  the  maple- 
leaves.  By  the  right  hand  of  the  Mikado,  what  neat 
characters  she  forms,  and  how  clever  at  verses  the 
pretty  little  poetess  really  is  !  See  how  glibly  she  has 
made  them  run  ! 

He  reads — 
' '  The  shadows  of  the  maples  paint 
The  river  gold  and  red  ; 
Come  quick,  dear  Tove  !   my  heart  is  faint ! 

If  spotted  deer  should  tread 
This  bright  l)rocaded  ])attern  out, — 

Trampling  the  crystal  ford — 
Those  deer  to  me  not  dear  would  be, 
r.ut  l)rntcs  I  hate,  my  lord  !  " 

Saka.     Now,    l)y   the   thirty-three    thousand    poets  of 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  103 

Choshiu,  she  falls  ripe  into  my  hands  like  a  dry  kaki  ! 
See  here.  It  is  but  to  break  her  last  line  with  one 
touch  of  my  ink-brush  at  that  word  "brutes,"  and  to 
alter  a  little  this  letter,  and,  ziitto  !  it  reads  plain  and 
blunt  "I  hate  my  Lord."  Ha!  ha!  ha!  What's 
that  except  to  avow  to  Morito  in  her  own  charm- 
ing hand,  that  she  is  sick  of  Wataru,  and  lives  but 
to  have  her  new  fancy  cross  the  stream  to  her? 
Now  win  I  Morito,  body  and  soul,  by  so  small  a 
revision  !  * 

\He  takes  his  ink-case  from  his  girdle  and  marks 
the  manuscript.'\ 

There  !    that  is  deftly  done  !     And  here  comes  again 

the  love-sick  knight  who  shall  swallow  my  philtre. 

*  In  the  Japanese  versions  of  tliis  story  the  play  upon  words, 
by  which  Sakamune  effects  his  devilish  stratagem,  is  untrans- 
ferable. Adzuma  had  written  Fniiii  na  chirashi  so,  meaning 
"do  not  disturb  by  trampling  it."  Sakamune  substituted  for  this, 
Wataru  ivo  itoii,  which  has  much  the  same  signification,  "I  do 
not  wish  you  to  cross,"  but  also  reads,  "I  hate  Wataru,"  7oata)-H 
in  Japanese  meaning  "to  cross."  Thus  it  was  necessary  to  imi- 
tate the  trick. 


I04  ADZUMA 

Re-enters  Morito. 

MoRiTO.  I  sought  thee  to  say  plainly  I  will  bear 
no  more  of  this  torment.  I  go  mad  upon  each  new 
sight  of  her,  but  have  thrust  her  now  farther  away 
from  me  than  ever,  by  rescuing  Wataru,  whom  alone 
she  loves. 

Sakamune.   Art  thou  so  sure  of  it? 

MoR.   As  I  am  that  thou  hast  lied. 

Saka.   It  is  more  than  she  herself  is. 

MoR.  Play  no  more  with  me,  Samurai  !  I  am  ill  to 
jest  with. 

Saka.   Nay,  but  cast  a  glance  at  that. 

[Morito  reads  tlie  pocm.'\ 

MoR.   Whence  hadst  thou  this  ? 

Saka.  It  is  the  tanzakii  whic:h  you  saw  Adzuma 
hang  upon  the  maple-branch.  A  friendly  breeze  rent 
it  away,  and  carried  it  where  I  found  the  precious 
message. 

MoR.   How  precious? 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  105 

Saka.  Hast  thou  eyes  ?  If  thou  hast,  perpend  the 
dehcate  wit  of  this.  She  composes,  writes,  and  then 
affixes  her  verses  where  the  wind  shall  be  messenger 
for  her  ;  since,  doubt  not  that  she  did  spy  us.  If  they 
had  fallen  into  Wataru's  hands,  small  matter  !  The 
husband  reads  past  this  little  mark,  and  kisses  the 
pretty  conceit.  But  should  it  come,  as  it  hath  duly 
come,  to  your  undeserving  eyes ;  why,  she  gives  you 
credit  for  sense  ^o  stay  upon  this  word  "brutes,"  and 
to  read  her  frank  confession,  "  I  hate  my  Lord." 

MoR.  Nanilwdo !  There  seems  something  in 
this  ! 

Saka.  Something !  There  is  everything !  there  is 
the  woman  you  love  hungering  and  thirsting  for  you ; 
casting  herself  at  your  feet. 

MoR.  Sakamune  !  I  will  stay  here.  Nay,  if  I  be 
bidden,  I  will  go  into  their  tent. 

Saka.  You  cannot  do  wiselier.  Spake  I  not  well 
that  she  needed  only  time  and  place  ? 


io6  ADZUMA 


Enter  Wataru. 


Wataru.  Ah,  fair  Sirs,  you  are  honourably  early  ! 
Mori  to  Endo  !  that  I  have  eaten  fish  and  rice  to-day, 
and  drunk  sake — a  living  man  with  good  appetite — is 
the  gift  of  thy  valiancy.  Please  you — if  will  serves, 
and  you  have  gazed  enough  on  the  maple-leaves — 
repair  to  our  booth  yonder — 'tis  that  one  with  purple 
and  green  cloths, — and  suffer  my  wife. and  my  mother- 
in-law  to  disburden  their  hearts  of  the  gratitude  which 
will  not  let  them  eat. 

MoR.   Indeed,  I  merit  not  their  thanks. 

Wat.  Come  and  try  to  persuade  them  of  that ;  but 
you  will  not  succeed.  I  pray  you  botli  deign  to  grace 
us.  We  have  within  a  little  country  feast  toward. 
Nay,  but  condescend  ! 

MoR.    I  will  come  with  you. 

\/Ul  three  enter  the  tent  together.~\ 

End  of  Scene  4. 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  107 

ACT   III. 

Scene   5. 

Inferior  of  Wataru's  tent.  Wataru  a?id  Adzuma  are 
discovered  seated  on  carpets,  entertaining  Morito 
and  Sakamune.  The  feast  is  semed  after  tlie  Japan- 
ese manjier  in  sfnail  bowls  and  trays,  with  sake-cups 
and  pots,  a  maid-servant  kneeling  before  each  guest. 

Adzuma.  I  say  it  again  most  gratefully,  Sir  Morito, 
it  was  the  deed  of  a  true  and  noble  knight. 

Morito.  Indeed,  you  do  overpraise  me. 

Adz.  It  cannot  be  overpraised.  My  humble  words 
are  too  poor  to  tell  your  rich  desert. 

Mor.  Words  from  so  sweet  a  mouth  would  make 
death  itself  an  easy  thing. 

Adz.  Oh,  Sir  !  you  are  courteous  as  you  are  brave. 
Saidst  thou,  Wataru  San  !  there  were  still  si.x  robbers 
attacking  when  Sir  Morito  drew  sword  ? 

Wataru.  I  did  not  closely  number  the  dogs,  but 
there   seemed  too  many  left  for  me  alone.      Nay,   'twas 


io8  ADZUMA 

as  friendly,  and  as  timely,  and  as  gallant  a  help  as 
ever  thou  canst  declare.  Bring  hither  the  sake-pot, 
Adzuma  !  I  would  fain  pledge  you,  Sir  Morito,  in  a 
cup  of  love. 

MoR.  Beseech  you,  excuse  me.  I  do  not  drink 
to-day.  I  did  not  see  your  honour's  "countenance 
in  the  confusion.  I  deserve  not  such  high  kindli- 
ness. 

Wat.  It  was  all  the  more  soldierly  !  For  a  friend 
one  risks  much  ;  but  you  say  that  you  knew  me  not. 
Oh  !  a  cup,  a  cup  ;  ippai  kudasai  ! 

MoR.  Pray  you,  forgive  me !  I  do  not  drink 
to-day. 

Adz.   But,  Sir  !   you  will  drink  a  cup  with  me  ? 

MoR.  \impiilsively.'\  Aye,  Lady,  if  you  poured  me 
poison  ! 

Adz.  Truly,  I  love  not  our  strong  rice-wine  better 
than  yourself.     But  we  owe  you  so  much  ! 

Sakamunk.   How  much,  madam  ? 

Wat.   Well,  Samurai  !   that    depends    upon    the   value 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  109 

to  be  put  on  the  life  of  your  most  unworthy  host, 
with  the  Emperor's  letters  and  treasure  thrown  into 
the  account. 

MoR.   I  am  to  be  too  much  overpaid,   Lady,   by  the 
honour  of  drinking  from  the  same  cup  with  you. 

Wat.     O     Yoshi  !     fill    up     the    wine-cup    of    your 
mistress. 

[Ill  receiving  tlic  cup,  and  Jioldiiig  it  to  be  filled, 
Adzuma  lets  it  fall  and  spill. 
Adz.   Ah,    my   stupidity !     Be    pleased    to   grant    me 
august    pardon.      I    cannot    tell    why   my   hand   should 
shake  so. 

[KoROMOGAWA  c alls  from  within  :  ^'  Adzuma  ! 
Adzuma  !  "] 
Nay,  mother  !  anon. 

[Sakaimune  whispers  Morito  ///  the  ear.'\ 
MoR.   O   Yoshi    San  !   fill   again  the   Lady  7\dzuma's 
cup. 

Adz.    No,    Sir !    your   gracious    forgiveness.     I,    too, 
will  not  now  drink.      I    have  a  strange   feeling  at    my 


no  ADZUMA 

heart,  Watarii.  Ask  the  honourable  guests  to  allow 
my  departure. 

Saka.  Our  loss  will  be  great,  Lady !  You  are  a 
renowned  poetess,  and  I  was  dying  to  enquire  if  you 
have  wrought  any  little  thing  to-day  for  our  city 
samisens,  in  honour  of  the  maples? 

Adz.  Oya !  oya  !  I  made,  indeed,  a  very  trifling 
tanzaku — a  foolish  verselet  upon  the  colours  of  the 
autumn. 

Saka.  If  we  might  but  hear  it,  before  you  go  ;  it 
would  be  better  than  the  cakes  and  sake. 

Adz.  I  am  ashamed.  I  wrote  such  a  thing,  and 
hung  it  on  the  tree  by  the  stream,  but  a  gust  of  wind 
carried  it  away. 

Wat.  Then  you  also,  Adzuma  -  chan !  have  been 
robbed,  and  no  Sir  Morito  near  at  hand  to  aid 
you. 

Saka.  Truly,  rather  it  is  we  who  are  robbed,  Lord 
Wataru  !   losing  so  sweet  a  song. 

Adz.   \smiliiig.'\     Ah,     Sirs,    it   was     not     worth     so 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  iii 

much   as   one   of  the   red  maple-leaves,  which  flew  over 

the  river  with  it. 

Saka.     The    wise   wind    was    of  another    mind,    and 

stole  it   away   to  sing  to   the  maple-trees.      Is   this  also 

a  piece  of  yours  ? 

\Taking  up  a  strip  of  writing. '\ 
Adz.   It  is,  Sir. 

Saka.   In  your  own  very  hand,  dare  I  ask  ? 

Adz.   Even  so. 

Saka.  May  I  turn  robber  like  the  wind,  and  take 
it,  in  remembrance  of  this  fortunate  occasion  ? 

Adz.  Sir  Samurai  !  nothing  can  be  refused  to-day 
to  Lord  Mori  to,  or  to  his  friend. 

Saka.   I  humbly  thank  you. 

[Koromogawa, //w;/  within,  calls  again  "  Adzuma  ! 
Adzuma  !  ' '  Adzuma  kneels  lief  ore  each  guest, 
and  salutes  him  with  her  hands  and  forehead 
on  the  ground :  then  rises,  and  passes  within.'\ 

O    Ta.ma     [entering.']      I    am    to     say    to    the    august 

presence    that    the    Okusdnia  has    gone   home   with    her 

mother.     They  beg  honourable  excuses. 


112  ADZUMA 

MoR.   We,  too,  will  now  take  our  leave. 

Wat.   Nay,  but  drink  !   drink  ! 

MoR.  Your  honourable  forgiveness.  Already  we 
have  stayed  too  long. 

Wat.  Well  then,  at  another  time.  I  heartily  pray 
you  to  distinguish  my  unworthy  house  in  the  city 
by  visiting  it. 

MoR.   I  .shall  come. 

Wat.     Fare    you    well  !       And    you.    Sir !       Come, 

again,  at  your  august  leisure. 

[Exeunt  Oiiincs. 
End  of  Scene  5. 


ACT  III. 

Scene  6. 

A  bridge y  leading  by  steps  t/iroiig/i  a  eenietery. 

Enter  Morito   and  Sakamune. 
Sakamune.   I   say   to   thee,    but    for    those    j^rcscnt, 
she  had  embraced  thee  then  and  there. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  113 

MoRiTO.    Certainly  she  was  much  stirred. 

Saka.   Did'st  thou  mark  her  let  fall  the  sake-cup  ? 

MoR.  Yes  !  and  the  colour  burning  in  her  cheeks 
at  that  moment  ! 

Saka.  Yea,  but  most  when  I  spake  of  the  uta, 
which  she  made  the  wind  carry  to  our  hands.  Oh, 
she  is  thine,  if  thou  wilt  have  her. 

MoR.   I  think  so.     Almost  I  think  so  ! 

Saka.  It  is  Koromogawa  alone  that  hinders. 
Did'st  thou  not  note  how  she  twice  looked  through 
the  curtains,  and  twice  called  Adzuma  away  ?  Go 
to  her  house,  at  Toba.  Be  not  denied.  Be  resolute  ; 
be  pitiless ;  be  terrible !  Tell  her  what  thou  hast 
learned ;  what  thou  hast  determined.  Bid  her  bring 
Adzuma  to  thee  there,  or  abide  thine  anger,  and  the 
shame  of  thy  denunciation  as  the  robber  of  Shiraito's 
robe  in  a  holy  temple.  The  penalty  of  such  a  deed 
is  to  have  both  hands  cut  off,  and  the  thief's  name 
erased  from  the  family  -  line.  Go  !  if  thou  would'st 
have  Adzuma  all  thine  own — go  ! 


114  ADZUMA 

MoR.   If  I  would  have  her  !     Samurai  !     Yon  Dead, 
That  keep  such  settled  silence  in  the  mould, 
Lie  not  more  still  under  their  graven  tombs 
Than,  in  my  breast,  the  sense  of  pity  sleeps. 
I  will  not  spare.     I  will  avenge  my  wrong. 
I  have  been  plundered  of  a  precious  thing  ; 
Hatefully  scorned  ;  set  by  ;  shorn  of  a  wife — 
Willing,  as  now  I  think,  to  have  spent  on  me 
The  treasure  of  her  tenderness,  but  chained, 
Gagged,  cheated,  sold  to  slavery  for  gain — 
Whose  prison  I  will  break.      If  I  would  have  ? 
I  tell  thee  Death,  Hell,  Danger,  shall  yield  now 
To  the  awakened  fury  of  my  love 
As  the  thin  airs  part,  and  the  filmy  clouds 
Before  the  swooping  Eagle's  stiffened  wings. 
They  shall  bewail  who  flouted  Morito, 
And  I  will  lie  with  loveliest  Adzuma. 

\Exit  Morito. 
Sakamune.     Now    I    have   set    them    fairly    at    each 

others'    throats.     There    will    be   sport    out    of    it    all. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  115 

before  the  end.  Meantime  here  is  my  pretty  Lady's 
handwriting,  which  I  have  narrowly  studied.  She 
makes  \\qx  "  I-ro-ha''  very  beautifully,  and  it  is  hard 
to  match  such  fair  penmanship,  yet  I  have  been  at  so 
much  pains,  that  I  do  think  this  love-letter,  which  I 
will  deliver  to  Morito,  might  pass  with  Adzuma  herself 
for  her  own  handwriting.     Let  us  see  how  it  runs  : 

He  reads — 

"  /  lift  to  your  most  /ioJioura/>/c  eyes  this  my  very 
humble  letter,  believing  you  the  true  friend  of  Lord 
Morito  Endo.  I  sazv  you  gather  up  my  tanzaku,  and 
he  will  knotv  therefore  7vhat  I  did  larite  at  the  close  of 
it.  I  aui  not,  indeed,  so  wicked  as  to  '  hate '  IVataru, 
but  I  have  heard  that  our  parents  would  have  united  us 
i?t  marriage,  and  of  late  I  have  seen  the  comeliness  of  Mo- 
rito, and  have  learned  his  valour ;  wherefore  the  heav- 
iness of  my  heart  to  be  separated  from  him  by  that  hus- 
band whom  my  mother  forced  me  to  marry,  caused  me 
to  write  such  a  verse.  I  pi-ay  you  to  let  Morito  under- 
stand this  little  of  my  very  loving  and  sorrowful  soul. ' ' 

So  ! — holding  this,  Morito  cannot  well  miss  to  frighten 
Aunt  Koromogawa  into  consent.      I  am  proud,  in  truth. 


ii6  ADZUMA 

of  my  lady-like  writing.     Ah  !    but  here  comes  one  of 
the  few  whom  I  have  to  fear. 

Enter  Kameju. 

Kameju.  The  day  to  you,  Samurai !  Where  is  my 
Lord  Morito? 

Saka.  When  I  am  omba^  to  him  I  will  stand  ready 
to  tell  you  of  his  comings  and  goings. 

Kam.   It  suits  you  to  be  uncivil.     Where  is  Morito? 

Saka.   What  if  I  say  I  know  not? 

Kam.  I  should  say  you  lied.  He  was  with  you 
here  a  little  while  ago. 

Saka.   If  you  knew  so  much  you  wasted  breath  to  ask. 

Kam.  I  waste  breath,  indeed,  to  ask  truth  from  you, 
Samurai  !   or  trust,  or  honour. 

Saka.  Were  you  of  my  rank,  Heimin  If  it  is  with 
tongue  of  sword  that  such  insolence  should  be  answered. 

Kam.  Were  you  of  my  rank,  Sir  Sakamune !  I 
had    long    ago    obliged    you    to    draw  that   steel  which 

*  "  Wet-nurse."  f  ' '  Peasant." 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  117 

you  defame  by  wearing.  It  is  your  present  safety, 
look  you,  that  I  am  only  the  retainer  of  my  master. 
But  I  love  him,  and  I  serve  him  faithfully  ;  and  it  is 
sorrow  to  me  and  trouble  to  see  him  day  by  day  in 
your  evil  company.  He  hath  of  late  lost  his  gallant 
spirit,  goes  melancholy,  and  cares  not  for  the  service 
of  the  Court,  nor  for  the  manly  exercises  of  a  Japanese 
nobleman. 

Saka.   What  is  all  this  to  me,  fellow? 

Kam.  Nothing  to-day,  perhaps.  But  it  is  a  score 
I  watch,  knowing  not  yet  how  the  account  will  come 
forth.  Have  a  care,  I  bid  thee,  what  thou  dost 
contrive  with  my  Master,  and  whither  thou  dost  push 
his  feet.     Those  that  love  him  watch  thee.  Samurai ! 

\_Exit  Kameju. 

Saka.     The    meddling   peasant !    It    would    stain    a 

bright    blade    past    cleaning    to    wet    it    in    such  vulgar 

blood.      Otherwise — otherwise  ! 

\^Exit  Sakamune. 

End  of  Scene  6. 


ii8  ADZUMA 


ACT  III. 

Scene  7. 

An  apartment  in  the  house  of  Koromogawa,  at  Toba,  near 
Kyoto.  Koromogawa  is  sitting  with  her  maids,  7vho 
are  embroidering. 

Koromogawa.  Draw  the  threads  thus,  Tora  San, 
if  you  would  have  your  dragon  stand  forth  finely 
from  the  silk.     What  are  you  doing,  O  Tatsu  ? 

O  Tatsu.  I  am  designing  birds  and  trees.  Go  Inkyo 
Sama  !  for  an  over-gown. 

KoROMO.  This  is  well ;  but  you  must  have  the 
proper  birds  and  creatures  with  the  proper  trees. 
Do  you  not  know  that  the  sparrow  goes  with  the 
bamboo ;  the  lion  and  the  ])eacock  with  the  ])eony ; 
the  dove  witli  tlie  wistaria;  the  crow  with  the  i)ine; 
and  ducks  and  fislics  with  the  lotus. 

O  Tatsu.    I  thank    you,  madam  !      I   will   make  it  so. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  119 

Enters  a  Maid-servant. 

MusuME.  Okusama  /  The  Lord  Morito  Endo 
stands  at  the  gate,  asking  to  speak  with  you. 

KoROMO.  Beg  of  him  the  august  pardon.  To-day 
I  receive  no  guests. 

MusuME.  Your  honourable  forgiveness  !  He  bade 
me  say  he  prayed  not  to  be  denied. 

Enters  Morito  abruptly. 

Morito.  Nay  !  but  he  said  that  he  would  not  be 
denied.  As  you  see,  Aunt  Koromogawa,  I  have 
admitted  myself.  Dismiss  the  serving-girls.  I  would 
talk  with  you  alone.  \The  Musumes  all  retire. 

KoROiMO.   Do  you  not  even  salute  me,  Morito  ? 

MoR.  No,  kinswoman  !  And  take  heed  that  none 
of  thy  servants  eavesdrop,  for  what  I  must  say  is  for 
thy  private  ear. 

KoROMO.   Thy  manner  pleaseth  me  not,  Morito  ! 

MoR.   It  is   not  meant  for  liking.      Listen  !     If  there 


I20  ADZUMA 

should  be  one  among  a  man's  relations  to  whom  his 
father  showed  great  kindness,  saving  and  restoring 
her  after  a  heinous  fault,  and  if  she  repaid  that 
kindness  with  slight  and  despite  to  the  son,  were 
it  becoming  in  that  son — a  soldier — to  restrain  his 
wrath. 

KoROMO.   I  do  not  understand. 

MoR.  But  thou  shalt  !  Dost  thou  remember  who  it 
was — desolate  and  disregarded — that  prayed  long  and 
hard  for  a  husband  in  the  Hase-dera  at  Kyoto,  and 
afterwards  stole  from  a  sleeping  woman  there  a  blue 
/^^rtr/ spotted  with  chrysanthemums? 

KoROMO.  It  was  the  will  and  way  of  the  goddess 
that  I  should  take  it.  Long  ago  was  it  given 
back. 

MoR.  Thy  crime  served  thee  well,  I  know — but  it 
was  a  crime,  Obasan  !  of  whicli  the  i)unishment  by 
law  is  mutilation  and  degradation. 

KoROMO.  Dost  thou  dare  to  speak  such  words  to 
the  sister  of  thy  fatlier  ? 


OR   THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  121 

MoR.  I  dare,  because  my  father's  sister  hath 
wrought  me  bitter  wrong.  I  dare,  because  she  can 
atone  for  it,  and  shall  atone  for  it ;  or  I  myself  will 
denounce  her  to  the  justice  of  the  Mikado.     - 

KoROMO.  What  wrong,  Morito  ?  I  have  feared 
thee,  but  never  misliked  thee  before. 

MoR.  This  wrong :  you  married  Yasuhira,  and 
became  a  well-reputed  and  happy  wife.  But  you  had 
deceived  your  Lord  when  he  questioned  you,  touching 
your  kinsfolk  in  Kyoto,  and  you  would  have  stood 
declared  a  liar — as  already  you  were  secretly  a  thief 
— except  for  the  chance  which  brought  you  into  my 
father's  house,  and  the  grace  shown  by  Yasuhira  and 
Shiraito  to  the  concubine's  daughter. 

KoROMO.  I  have  my  dagger  here.  Morito  !  I  will 
not  endure  such  words. 

MoR.  Aye,  Ohdsan !  That  dagger  is  part  of  the 
story.  Yasuhira  saw  and  recognised  it,  as  the 
gift  of  his  father  to  thy  mother,  and,  freely  ad- 
mitting   thee    his    sister     by     blood,    forgave    thy    sin 


122  ADZUMA 

and  the  robe  stolen  from  my  mother,  Shiraito — for  it 
was  she  whom  thou  didst  rob — took  thee  to  peace 
and  honour ;  and  died  thy  benefactor,  friend,  and 
brother. 

KoROMO.  I  deny  nothing  of  this,  save  that  my 
taking  the  robe  was  by  a  dream  from  the  goddess. 
We  must  obey  Heaven — but  indeed  I  sought  long  and 
hard  to  restore  the  blue  kirtle. 

MoR.  Dost  thou  deny  that,  being  left  alone,  but 
well-provided,  by  favour  of  my  dead  father,  thou 
didst  refuse  to  me,  his  son — through  Dosen — the  fair 
daughter  thou  gladly  gavest  to  rich  Wataru  ? 

KoROMO.  Yes,  but  for  thy  sake  and  for  hers,  if 
thou  knewest  all. 

MoR.   How  meanest  thou  ? 

KoROMO.  They  that  hate  thee  and  me,  and  have 
set  thee  on  to  this,  have  not  told  thee  of  the  old  be- 
ginnings of  thy  life,  and  Adzuma's.  They  have  not 
told  thee  of  the  dreams  whicli  lirought  my  lovely  child 
to  me  from  the  snakes'  bank,  and  thee  to  thy  mother's 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  123 

womb  from  the  eagle's  eyrie.  There  was  between 
you  a  destiny  of  mutual  ruin,  only  to  be  overcome  by 
virtue,  and  the  mercy  of  the  Compassionate  One.  I 
did  thee  true  service  keeping  Adzuma  from  thine  eyes. 

MoR.  To  the  priests  and  the  country-gossips  with 
such  folly  ! 

KoROMO.  It  is  no  folly.  We  do  not  touch  the 
sleeve  of  another  person  in  this  existence,  but  it 
imports  contact  heretofore  and  mingling  fortunes. 
Morito,  I  even  loved  thee.  I  would  have  desired  that 
which  Dosen  asked  ;  but  the  Snake  and  Eagle  must 
not  again  meet,  and,  moreover,  my  child's  heart  was 
already  given.  The  goddess  had,  of  herself,  brought 
together  Adzuma  and  Wataru. 

MoR.  You  lie,  my  Aunt  !  And,  if  you  lie  not,  I 
will  not  now  be  lulled  with  nursery  tales,  like  a 
chikusai,  a  child  that  smells  of  milk.  If  this  be  true, 
did  not  my  father  know  it,  who  wished  Adzuma  for 
me  ?  You  refused  her.  The  unsatisfied  longing  of 
spirits  holds  them  from   their  repose,   and   these   many 


1 24  ADZUMA 

years  Yasuhira's  soul  hath  wandered  indignant.  Hear 
me  !  I  love  Adzuma  !  With  all  my  body  and  my 
blood  I  do  desire  her  sweet  beauty.  With  all  my  wit 
and  will  I  do  seek  possession  of  it.  I  will  not  live  with- 
out her  ;  nor  will  I  suffer  thee  to  live,  unless  thou  dost 
comply  with  my  demand  :   Help  me  to  have  Adzuma  ! 

KoROMO.  Oh,  unhappy  and  imknightly  one  !  Ad- 
zuma is  no  light  o'  love ;  but  heart  and  soul  the 
faithful  wife  of  a  noble  Lord,  to  whose  ears  I  bid  thee, 
if  thou  dar'st,  speak  these  base  words.  Could  I  be 
vile  enough  to  fear  and  to  aid  thee,  she  would  never 
be.     Thou  dost  lose  thy  shameful  labour  ! 

MoR.  Nay  !  I  know  what  I  ask.  Adzuma  also 
desires  me. 

KoROMO.  Though  thou  slay  me  I  call  thee  liar, 
saying  so. 

MoR.  I  will  show  thee  sure  proof,  and  to  spare,  of 
it.  Moreover,  she  shall  herself  avow  in  thine  hearing 
that  she  loves  me  only,  and  tliat  thou  didst  conmiit  a 
second  great  crime,  keeijing  licr  from  my  bed. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE   WIFE  125 

KoROMO.  A  second  crime  ? 

MoR.  Aye,  for  the  first  awaits  the  executioner's 
knife,  upon  a  word  from  me  in  the  ear  of  justice. 

KoROMO.   Coward,  as  base  as  har  ! 

MoR.  I  will  not  kill  thee  now.  I  will  kill  thee  if 
thou  dost  not  call  Adzuma  hither  to  meet  me  in  this 
same  room.  She  shall  confirm  what  I  have  told  thee; 
and  then  thou  shalt  give  her  to  me,  or  die. 

KoROMO.  I  fear  thee  not.  I  can  die  by  my  own 
dagger  if  what  thou  sayest  were  true.  But  I  fear  tliy 
evil  spirit.  There  is  some  miserable  plot  herein  which 
her  truth  shall  shame.  Adzuma  shall  come  hither  to- 
morrow to  answer  thee,  and  afterwards  it  is  Watura 
Watanabe  to  whom  thou  thyself  shalt  answer.  Be- 
gone !  lest  a  knight's  widow  smite  thee  on  the  mouth 
for  her  daughter's  name.  To-morrow ;  in  the  after- 
noon ! 

\jElxit  MoRiTO. 

End  of  Act  the  Third. 


ACT    IV. 

Scene    i. 
A  Street,  with  tempk-gate  and  steps. 

Enter  Wataru  and  Karieju. 

Wataru.  I  like  the  Samurai  as  little  as  thou  thy- 
self, Kameju  !  yet,  sooth  to  say,  with  no  very  good 
reasons  for  it. 

Kameju.  There  is  reason  enougli  in  the  looks  and 
the  ways  of  Sakamune.  ^Vhat  miscliief  he  is  working 
with  my  Lord  I  have  not  yet  discovered ;  but  Morito 
Endo  is  no  more  himself.  He  sleeps  not,  eats  not, 
drinks  not,  fights  not.  His  war-horse  grows  gross  at 
the  manger  for  want  of  use ;  and  since  the  festival 
at  the  maple-trees  I  have  not  once  seen  him  string  his 
bow  for  the  practice. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  127 

Wat.    Tliou  and  I,  good  Kameju  !   will  arouse  him. 

A  new  war  is  gathering  in  the  East,  and  we  will  take 

him    there.     After    what    he    wrought    for  me  and    for 

the  Emperor's   treasure,  the   Court  is  well  disposed   to 

Morito. 

\Exit  Kameju. 

Domo  !  what  spy  I  here  ?     The  crest  of  my  house  upon 

the  bearers,  and  Adzuma's  litter  borne  .so  quickly  ? 

Enter  Adzuma  ///  her  kago.     Seeing  Wataru,  she 
a/ighfs,  and  respectfully  salutes  her  husluind. 

Wataru.   Whither,  in  such  high  haste,  my  Adzuma? 

Adzuma.   Oh,  not  to  pleasure  if  not  where  thou  art ! 
My  mother  sends  me  word  some  trouble  irks, — 
A  little  ache,  I  hope — prays  me  repair 
With  all  the  speed  I  may.     One  must  not  keep 
A  mother  long  expectant — must  we,  dear  ? — 
Even  for  bribe  of  blessed  times  at  home 
When  thou  art  there,  and  this  too  burning  noon 
Melts  to  the  purple  peace  of  evening. 


128  ADZUMA 

Wat.    Nay,  but  be  back  long  ere  tlie  evening  ! 
I  have  a  thing  to  show  thee — ah  !  a  piece 
Wonderful  for  its  fancy — newly  wrought. 
Art  thou  so  hurried,  wife  ?     List  !  there's  a  hill — 
'Tis  done  in  pearl  and  ivory  on  a  plate 
Of  silver — there's  a  hill,  and  on  the  hill 
An  ancient  castle ;  and  the  castle's  held 
By  rebels  ;  and  the  reigning  Emperor's  troops 
Must  take  it,  if  they  take  the  i)lace  at  all, 
Soon  ;  since  there  comes  an  army  of  relief 
Will  raise  the  siege;  but  'tis  of  utmost  need 
The  place  be  yielded  to  his  Majesty, 
Therefore  the  question  stands,    ''  Have  these  men 

food, 
Or  must  they  open,  starved,  if  siege  be  held  !  " 

Adz.  Yes  ;  my  sweet  Lord  ? 

Wat.  So  they  send  in  a  spy 

Li  woman's  clothes,  young  Genjiro,  the  knight, 
Who  enters  safe ;  and  seeks,  and  hears,  and  sees 
There's  provcnd  but  for  two  days  in  the  fort, 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  129 

And    that    such    stuff    as    dogs    would    sniff    and 

leave  : 
Whom,  as  he  steals  back  with  his  precious  news, 
They  mark,  detect,  unguise — 'tis  Genjiro  ! 
Oh  !  every  rebel  knows  him, — Genjiro, 
The  best  bow  of  the  enemy  !  fierce  hands 
Seize  him  and  thrust  him  to  their  rampart-edge. 

Adz.   Ah,  how  I  long  to  see  this  piece  of  work  ! 
What  will  they  do  ? 

Wat.  Vender's  his  tent,  his  wife, 

His  comrades,  and  the  friendly,  pleasant  camp. 
All  that  life  means  ;  and  at  his  back  spear-blades 
Sharp  pricking,  and  a  savage  voice  which  growls  : 
''  Shout  '  Friends  !    they  have   taken  me  !    the  fort 

is  full. 
Victualled  for  twenty  days — best  raise  the  siege  !  " 

Adz.   Is  that  what  the  plate  pictures  ? 

Wat.  Not  just  that ; 

The  point's  a  little  later.      Genjiro, 

Upon  the  wall,  hears  what  they  say  to  him  ; 
9 


I30  ADZUMA 

Feels    the    pushed    spears   prick ;    knows   that    he 

may  hve 
If  he  will  lie,  and  let  his  duty  go : 
But,  all  too  loyal  to  buy  life  with  shame, 
He  thunders,  "  Ere  the  week  is  out  they  starve  ! 
Keep  leaguer  still  !  "    whereon  a  sheaf  of  spears 
Pierce  him  ;   but  Genjiro  has  saved  his  Lord. 
That's  what  the  craftsman  shows. 

Adz.  Oh,  I'll  come  home 

Quickly  to  see  it.      'Tis  a  noble  thing 
To  die  for  duty.     You  had  done  it,  too, 
As  well  as  Genjiro. 

Wat.  Adzuma-chan, 

The  "  would-dos  "  and  the  "  have-dones  "  differ  so  ! 
Yet,  an'  I"  loved  not  honour  more  than  life — 
Aye,  more  than  Adzuma, — I  should  not  love 
Adzuma  half  so  well.     Hasten  thee  back, 
And  see  my  silver  knight  rejoice  to  die 
Where  death  was  duty. 

Adz.  Keep  it  for  me.  Lord  ! 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  131 

I  praise  the  tale.     Like  a  glad  bird  I'll  come 

Whose    wings    know    of    themselves    the    way    to 

home. 

[Exeunt  Oinncs. 

End  of  Scene  i. 


ACT    IV. 

Scene  2. 

The  apartment  in  Koromogawa's  house.  Koromogawa 
and  MoRiTO  are  seated  together.  She  holds  a  letter, 
the  pretended  letter  from  Adzuma  which  Sakamune 
has  given  to  Morito.  She  is  weeping,  and  deeply 
agitated. 

Koromogawa.   Who  brought  thee  this  letter  ? 

Morito.  It  is  idle  to  ask  me  that.  Thou  seest  it 
is  her  own.  Thou  hast  thyself  said,  "  This  is  Adzuma's 
handwriting." 

Koromo.  That  was  before  I  read  the  shameful 
words. 


132  ADZUMA 

MoR.  I  care  not.  Wataru's  wife  loves  me,  as  thou 
seest.  So  thou  art  twice  condemned  for  the  wrong 
thou  didst,  denying  her  for  me  to  Dosen. 

KoROMO.  I  tell  thee  she  was  pledged  to  Wataru  by  the 
will  of  the  goddess,  when  Dosen  asked  her. 

MoR.  She  was  given  in  a  dream,  but  I  will  have 
her  back  awake.  With  what  false  pretences  dost  thou 
still  cover  thy  ingratitude  ?  If  Adzuma  be  not  now 
yielded  to  me,  when  she  herself  desires  it,  thou  shalt 
die,  and  thy  name  be  defamed. 

KoROiVio.  I  am  not  afraid  to  die,  but  I  am  afraid 
to  be  dishonoured.  Adzuma  must  answer.  I  think 
this  letter  is  a  lie,  forged  by  some  enemy. 

MoR.  Wilt  thou  say  so,  looking  at  it  ?  Are  these 
not  her  own  characters,  both  of  the  poem  and  the 
letter  ? 

KoROMO.  Odorokimasliifa  !  they  are  very  like.  Yet 
it  could  not ;  it  cannot  be  ! 

MoR.   But  it  is  ! — Why  cometh  not  Adzuma  ? 

KoRoMO.     I  shall  wrong    her    to    let  her  ears    listen 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  133 

to  such  wickedness.  Yet  she  will  come.  She  will 
make  thee  know  thou  hast  fed  upon  falseness  and 
fancies.      Oh,  my  Daughter  !   if  this  shame  could  be  ! 

MoR.  I  say,  again,  it  is !  Adzuma  shall  tell  thee 
how  she  loves  me.     Why  comes  she  not  ? 

KoROMO.  Even  now  I  hear  her  dear  voice.  Oh, 
would  I  were  a  man,  and  not  of  thy  blood,  that,  at  the 
first  word  of  her  denial,  I  might  strike  thee  with  the 
scorn  of  sword-blade. 

MoR.   Vex  me  not,  shrew  !     I  am  dangerous. 

KoROMO.  Aye,  to  women,  Mori  to,  it  seems.  But 
thou  shalt  answer  hereafter  to  those  who  can  do  better 
than  weep. 

MoR.   I  shall  be  ready. 

Enter  Adzuma,  zuho  makes  respectful  salutations,  and 
then  gazes  with  troubled  countenance  on  the  angered 
faces  ^KoROMOGAWA  and  Morito. 

Adz.  I  feared  you  were  sick,  dear  Mother  !  Why 
is  this  gentleman  here  ? 

KoROMO.     Do  you  know  him  ? 


134  ADZUMA 

Adz.  Oh  yes  !  it  was  he  who  brought  rescue  to  my 
Lord  in  the  lane. 

KoROMO.  It  is  he  who  now  brings  shame  to  us, 
and  sin,  and  the  sorrow  of  wicked  words  and  wishes, 
and  cruel  threats  to  slay  and  disgrace  me,  if  I  yield 
thee  not  up  to  him,  away  from  Wataru. 

Adz.   \starting  up  to  herfcct.'\  Mother  ! 

KoROMO.  I  should  crave  pardon,  I  know,  for  speak- 
ing so  to  thee,  but  thou  must  hear  me — and  him. 

Adz.   I  cannot  understand  ! 

KoROMO.  How  shouldest  thou  understand  ?  Nor 
know  I  in  what  way  least,  to  wound  thine  ears  with 
the  understanding. 

Adz.   Away — from  Wataru  ? 

KoROMO.   Aye  ! 

MoRiTO.  Aye,  Adzuma  !  for  I  must  iind  my  tongue, 
though  thy  beauty,  at  first  entrance,  hath  struck  it 
dumb.  I  love  thee,  and  do  long  for  tliee,  as  never  yet 
lover  longed.  l''rom  the  hour  in  which  I  first  saw  thee 
upon  the   Bridge,  and  afterwards  again  at  the  Temple, 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  135 

and  yet  again  at  the  Feast  of  the  Maples,  my  heart 
hath  been  filled  with  thee,  and  my  soul  sick  for  thine 
embraces.  Thou  wert  designed  mine  by  the  will  of 
the  dead,  by  secret  destinies,  by  thine  own  hidden 
desires  ;  but  this  evil  woman  robbed  me  of  thy  love, 
and  gave  thee  to  another.  Now,  with  a  sword  and  a 
will  nowise  to  be  gainsaid,  I  am  come  here  to  claim 
and  take  thee.  If  thou  sayest  "Yea,"  as  thy  pen  hath 
already  sweetly  promised,  and  if  thy  Mother,  being 
assured  of  thy  mind,  hinder  not,  have  thou  no  fear  ! 
There  is  neither  danger  nor  blame  that  I  will  not 
answer  and  crush.  If  I  am  crossed  or  denied,  I  will  find 
my  way  to  my  purpose  in  wrath  and  ruin,  and  blood. 

Adz.  My  pen  hath  promised  thee?  Morito  Endo  ! 
I  am  Wataru's  wife  ! 

MoR.   By  wrongfulness,  as  thy  Mother  knows. 

Adz.  By  rightfulness,  as  love,  and  honour,  and  true 
faith  witness.      Oh  !   what  is  all  this  wild  wickedness  ? 

MoR.  With  twenty  times  Wataru's  fondness  for 
thee  I  love  thee,  Adzuma  ! 


136  ADZUMA 

Adz.  'Tis  twice  twenty  times  false  !  And,  were  it 
true,  thy  disgrace  is  measureless  to  tell  it,  and  my 
shame  speechless  to  hear  it  said. 

KoROMO.  Then  it  is  false,  Daughter  !  to  say  that 
this  letter  came  to  Mori  to  from  your  hand  ? 

Adz.  What  letter,  Mother  ?  [SIic  receives  iJie  forged 
scroll,  and  slowly  peruses  it,  reading  from  it  at  the  end.'] 

"  I  pray  you  to  let  Mori  to  understand  this  little  of 
my  very  loving  and  sorrowful  soul  " — 

And  that  signed  "  Adzuma  !  "  Ah  !  what  enemy  has 
invented  against  me  such  impossible  sinfulness  ? 

KoROMO.   It  is  not  of  thy  writing,  child  ? 

Adz.  Oh,  no  !  no  !  no  !  no  !  no  !  Could  you  deem 
so.  Mother  ?  Have  you,  Morito  Endo,  believed  a 
Japanese  wife  would  be  so  vile,  so  false,  so  wanton  ? 

MoR.  Wilt  thou  deny  the  characters?  Is  it  not 
exactly  thus  thy  hand  goes  ? 

Adz.  Alas,  yes  !  it  is  indeed  my  manner.  It  is 
done  with  a  bitter  cunning. 

KoROMo.  You  are  assured  it  is  false,  nevertheless  ! 


OR    THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  137 

Adz.  Good  Mother,  yes  !  I  wrong  myself  and 
my  Lord  to  look  so  closely  at  the  lying  scroll.  But 
see  now,  this  ink  is  paler  than  I  use,  and  here  is 
a  letter  not  of  my  habit. 

MoR.  Oh,  Adzuma,  Adzuma  !  will  you  take  back 
the  promise  of  your  eyes,  your  words,  your  written 
mind,  because  Koromogawa  frowns  and  weeps  ?  Here 
is  your  name  as  none  but  you  yourself  can  write 
the  precious  letters  of  it.  Here  is  your  seal,  which 
only  you  yourself  possess.  If  you  deny  this  letter, 
out  of  fear,  will  you  also  deny  the  tanzaku,  which 
the  wind  blew  into  my  hands  ? 

KoROMO.   What  tanzaku  ? 

MoR.  This  !  \iir awing  the  poem  from  his  girdle.'] 
Here  is  what  Adzuma  wrote,  and  hung  upon  a 
maple-branch  at  the  festival.  Read  it  !  See  if  she 
did  not  plainly  tell  me,  "  I  hate  my  Lord." 

KoROMO.    [after  reading  the  poem.]  Adzuma  ! 

Adz.  Give  it  me  here.  Mother.  Ah,  yes !  that 
is  my  writing. 


138  ADZUMA 

KoROMO.  But  see'st  thou — at  the  end  ? 

Adz.   I  see. 

KoROMO.  And  this  is  not  false,  then  ? 

Adz.   No,  not  this. 

KoROMO.  And  you  made  the  wind  your  messenger 
to  tell  this  knight — and  all — that  you  were  weary  of 
your  husband  ? 

Adz.  Mother  !  Mother !  It  is  the  accursed  device 
of  this  man,  or  of  some  other  enemy.  Here,  at 
that  mark  which  I  never  set,  an  evil  hand  hath  broken 
the  sense  of  my  innocent  song,  and  made  the  loving, 
wifely  words  I  wrote  rank  and  guilty  as  a  harlot's. 

KoROMO.  But  the  writing  so  alike !  And  two  of 
them  !     And  this,  you  do  confess,  your  own  hand. 

Adz.  Aye  !  aye  ! 

KoROMO.  And  I  bethink  me,  now,  how  you  have 
lately  praised  Mori  to  Endo  to  me;  and  called  him 
comely  and  gallant  ;  and  how  I  was  forced  twice  to 
summon  you  away  from  him  at  the  feast  in  the  tent. 

Adz.   Aye  ! 


OR   THE    JAPANESE    WIFE  139 

MoR.  Oh,  it  is  only  the  dread  of  you  which  forces 
her  to  behe  herself  and  her  heart.  Adzuma !  my 
Desire,  my  Delight,  my  Destiny  !  Fear  nothing,  and 
fear  none,  but  give  thyself  up  to  thy  sweet  will  and 
to  me  ! 

Adz.   Wataru  !   Wataru  ! 

MoR.   Nay,  name  not  him,  lest  I  lose  patience. 

Adz.   Wataru  !     Lord  Wataru  ! 

KoROMO.  Criest  thou  to  thy  husband  for  anger,  or 
in  shame,  Adzuma?  [Adzuma  is  siie/it.'] 

KoROMO.  Wilt  thou  have  Wataru  see  these  writ- 
ings ?  [Adzuma  is  siic/if.'] 

KoROxMO.  Adzuma !  Hast  thou  no  better  speech 
than  barely  to  call  these  writings  false,  which  fit  so 
well  together,  and  fall  in  with  thy  entertainment  in 
the  tent ;  and  thy  talk,  of  late,  about  this  knight ; 
and  his  own  persuasion  of  thy  strong  desire  for 
him.  [Adzuma  sfii/  main  tains  silence.'] 

KoROiMO.  This  is  sharper  than  thy  disgraced 
sword,    Morito  !     This    is    harder    than    any    dishonour 


I40  ADZ  U MA 

thou  couldst  put  on  me  !  Here,  for  the  house  of 
Yasuhira,  begins  ruin,  infamy,  death,  unless  thou 
canst  better  answer,  Daughter  ! 

[Adzuma,  with  boived  head,  still  preserves  silence.'\ 
KoROMO.  Thou  speakest  nought  ?  Then  I  call  thee 
"daughter"  no  more.  I  call  thee  strumpet,  Yotaka, 
plucker  of  stranger's  sleeves.  Ah,  thou  dishonoured 
wife  ; — thou  defamed  Lady  !  Let  me  look  no  longer 
on  thy  guilty  cheeks  and  downcast  eyes.  There  is 
the  proper  punishment  for  thy  offence  writ  in  the 
law  against  the  wicked  wives  that  sin.  But  I  de- 
nounce thee  not  to  that.  Live  on  with  thy  mippu 
here,  thy  fancy,  thy  knight  who  makes  war  upon 
women,  and  gathers  up  love-messages  from  the  gutter  ! 
I  disown  thee,  I  am  done  with  thee.  Adulteress  ! 
Thus  !   thus  !   and  thus  ! 

\_She  strikes  AdzuiMA  three  times  and  goes  out.~\ 
MoR.   Comfort  thee  !   this  is  but  a  i)assing  spleen. 
Adz.   Hold  down  thine  evil  voice  !   let  me  be  still  ! 
MoR.   Now  she  is  gone  wilt  thou  not  turn  to  me? 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  141 

Adz.   Aye  !    I  will  turn,  to  bid  thee  hate  thyself. 
As  I  do  hate,  and  scorn — and  pity  thee. 

MoR.   I  am  not  used  to  pity. 

Adz.  Well,  begin  ! 

See  thy  sick  honour  as  my  sad  eyes  see  ; 
Conceive  thy  knighthood  as  my  virtue  doth 
Loathsome,  attainted,  foul  with  lust  and  pride  ! 
Measure  thyself  by  what  thou  wert,  or  no  ! — 
Since  that  was  falsely  honest — mete  thyself 
By  such  brave  stature  as  my  husband's  worth  \ 
So  learn,  how  low  and  petty  thou  art  sunk 
That  plott'st  against  his  frank  nobility. 
Mark  how,  in  this  hard  strait  and  gathering  gloom, 
That  which  thou  call'st  thy  love  is  vile  to  me, 
And  sweet  my  Mother's  anger.      Oh,  I  praise 
The  hand  which  struck  the  guilty  Adzuma  ; 
If  Adzuma  were  guilty.     Though  I  see 
No  way  to  escape  the  anguish  of  these  snares, 
I  pity  thee  more  than  myself.     Now,  go  ! 
Compassionate  thine  own  state,  judging  so  ! 


142  ADZUMA 

MoR.   Didst  thou  not  write  the  letter  ? 

Adz.  Why,  no  !   no  ! 

MoR.   Nor  yet  the  trick  of  the  verse  ? 

Adz.  The  knave  who  did 

Laughs  at  his  easy  dupe's  simphcity. 
I  love  Wataru  to  the  last  live  drop 
Of  this  true  body's  blood.     Were  it  not  so 
Should  I  1)6  mad  enough  to  bid  the  wind 
Puff  my   shame    hither    and    thither.       Go  !     thou 
fool  ! 

MoR.   Why  wert  thou  silent,  wlien  thy  Mother  cursed  ? 

Adz.   The  plot's  too  deep  ;  no  words  could  do  me  good. 

MoR.   I  do  begin  to  fear  myself  deceived. 

Adz.   But  thy  fell  folly  ruins  more  than  thee. 

MoR.   I     have     pushed    thee,    Lady,    to     a    troublous 
place. 

Adz.   Thou  hast  not  wit  enough  to  know  how  hard. 

MoR.   Aye  !  and  I  have  not  will  to  have  the  wit. 
See  now  !   as  here  I  stand,  never  before 
So  near,  so  sure ;  never  so  deeply  drenched 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  143 

With  this  strong  sea  of  love,  which,  from  thy  form, 
Thy  face,  thy  grace,  thy  wrath,  floods  and  reflows, 
And    sweeps    my     soul     away — that    soul,     which 

drowns, 
Clutches  at  thee  as  sinking  sailors  will 
At  what  they  hold,  and  will  not  let  thee  go  ; 
Nay,  cannot  let  thee  go.      Hark,  now  !     I  swear 
Thou  shalt  be  mine  ;  either  by  willing  love 
When  I  will  compensate  with  tenderness 
These  terrors  ;  or  because  of  darker  dreads  ; 
Since,  if  I  have  thee  not,  I'll  hold  thee  up 
A  scorn-mark,  and  thy  dam  a  temple-thief; 
And  those  that  called  thee  honest,  shall  go  by 
Holding  the  nose  :   Wataru  most  of  all. 

[Adzuma  docs  not  reply. '\ 

MoR.  Answerest  me  not  ?  [She  is  still  silent.'] 

MoR.   I  say,  answerest  me  not  ? 

Adz.  [speaking  to  herself.]  If  I  should  tell 

All  to  Wataru,  and  he  killed  this  beast, 
His  whole  life  long  cold  doubt  would  torture  him. 


144  ADZUMA 

MoR.   I  cannot  hear  thee ;  wilt  thou  answer  not  ? 

Adz.   Yea!     Yea!     I'll  answer.     I  did  meditate. — 
There  seems  no  other  way. — Truly,  it  seems 
You  cannot  but  be  somehow  recompensed. — 
You  have  done  much  for  me,  have  sold  your  soul 
To  ruin,  ruining  me.     Well,  I  must  pay 
As  women  pay.     Your  wild  will  wills  it  so. 
Who  knows?     It  may  be  this  is  destiny. 
I  yield — I  give  myself: — it  must  be  thus. 
But  one  condition  ! — thou  .shalt  slay  my  Lord. 

MoR.   Aye,  I  will  slay  him. 

Adz.  While  I  live,  and  he. 

This  could  not  be ;  so  thou  must  slay  my  Lord. 

MoR.  I'll  slay  him.     Tell  me  how. 

Come  thou,  to-night ; 
A  little  after  midnight,  to  my  house. 
I  shall  go  back  there.     When  ^^^ataru  sups 
I'll  fill  his  wine-cujjs  fast,  then  wash  his  hair, 
And  lull  him  into  sleep.      His  room  will  be 
The  easternmost,  that  gives  uj)on  the  lane. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  145 

I'll  set  a  lamp  in  it ;  and,  when  I  hear 
Thy  foot  for  certain,  I'll  extinguish  it. 
Have  thou  a  care  :   the  serving-men  lie  thick 
In  the  fore-court.     When  thou  passest  in  the  dark 
Safe  to  his  mat,  thou  shalt  know  well  his  head, 
Being  moist  with  washing,  and  the  locks  tied  back 
In  the  noble's  way.     Cut  off  the  head — and  go  ! 
And — afterwards — • 

MoR.  Ah,  afterwards — I  see 

Sweet  bliss  together,  and  no  fears  to  mar. 

Adz.   Afterwards,  as  it  shall  be.     Come  to-night ! 

MoR.   Surely  I  will.  [Exit  Morito. 

Adz.  There  was  no  other  way  ! 

I  never  could  have  laid  these  plots  quite  bare ; 
He  never  would  have  lulled  a  lingering  doubt ; 
My  mother's  honour,  life,  peace,  love  for  me  ; 
My  husband's  name,  his  trust  in  Adzuma ; 
My  own  true  innocence,  go  safe  this  way 
And  by  no  other  road.     If  I  should  tell 
All  to  Wataru,  and  this  wretch  should  fall 


146  ADZUMA 

Under  his  vengeful  sword,  how  would  he  know 

I  wrote  no  wanton  word?  how  could  men  part 

Mine  honesty  from  fear  ?     It  must  be  done  ! 

Aye  !   I  must  make  him  kill  me.      Killing  me 

Blindly  he  sets  wrong  right.     Yet,  ah  !   I  ache, 

My  dearest  Lord  !   chiefly  I  ache  for  thee 

So  lonely  when  my  pillow  is  not  there 

O'  nights — (perchance  he'll  always  keep  it  by 

For    thoughts  !)     But   thou    wilt   know,   dear,   wilt 

thou  not? 
How  wholly  true  I  was — all — always — thine. 
Yes  !   this  must  be  ;  Adzuma  dead  shall  free 
Adzuma  living  from  all  calumny  ! 


End  of  Scene  2. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  147 

ACT  IV. 

Scene  3 . 

A  street  in  Kyoto.     A  lamp  and  candle-seller' s  shop  in 
foreground.      The  dealer  is  seated  among  his  goods. 

Enter  Fisherman. 

Fisherman.  Komban .'  Mr.  Lamp-seller,  a  candle 
for  my  lantern,  please. 

Lamp  Seller.  Do  you  do  such  a  business,  Ryoshi ! 
that  you  sell  fish  by  night  ? 

Fisher.  Nanthodo !  one  must  sell  when  the  fish 
come  ;  and  besides  folks  like  a  fresh  tai  or  tara  for 
their  supper.  I  am  even  now  going  to  my  Lord 
Wataru's  house  with  some  aji. 

Lamp  S.   What  is  this  token  on  your  lantern  ? 

Fisher.  I  bought  it  for  the  sign  of  good-luck,  but 
I  am  like  Kichibei's  dog,  I  cannot  read. 

Lamp  S.   What  about  Kichibei's  dog  ? 

Fisher.   Well,  he  was  drowned  for  not  knowinc;  his 


148  ADZUMA 

letters.  He  was  always  barking  at  people,  and 
biting  them,  until  somebody  said  that  if  you  wrote  the 
China  letter  for  "  tiger  "  in  the  palm  of  your  hand,  and 
held  it  out  to  an  angry  dog,  it  would  become  gentle. 

Lamp  S.   Ha  !  ha  !  did  they  try  it  ? 

Fisher.  A  learned  man  did,  and  the  dog  bit  a  piece 
of  silk  out  of  his  hakama,  with  much  of  the  leg  inside 
it.  Oh,  it  is  ill  to  be  without  letters,  like  me  and 
Kichibei's  dog.  Now  what  really  means  my  lantern- 
writing  ? 

Lamp  S.  It  means  Teinmei — "  Destiny." 

Fisher.   Nay  !   that  is  well  enough  for  a  fisherman  ! 

Lamp  S.   How  so  ? 

Fisher.  Domo !  See  you  not  we  are  the  very  signs 
and  servants  of  destiny  ?  Here  am  I,  Kozo,  the 
hawker,  in  your  honourable  shop  buying  this  candle, 
and  there  in  the  river  is  a  fat  Koi,  eating  worms. 
And  to-morrow,  though  we  have  never  seen  each 
other,  we  shall  meet,  and  I  shall  catch  him,  and  sell 
him  for  half  a  kiihaii.     And  all  because  it  was  destiny. 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  149 

Lamp  S.  So  it  is  !  you  are  honourably  right  !  Fish 
and  men,  we  cannot  escape  Teminei. 

Fisher.   For  the  candle,  how  much,  Danna? 

Lamp  S.  Nay,  nay  !  give  me  a  little  fish,  and  go 
thy  way. 

Fisher.  There  is  a  bunch  of  aji,  then.  Now  who 
would  have  guessed  Destiny  would  turn  them  into  a 
candle  for  Kozo.     Nantliodo  ! 

End  of  Scene  3. 


ACT   IV. 

Scene  4 . 

The  sleeping-rootn  in  Wataru's  house.  Adzuma  and 
Wataru  together.  Adzuma  has  been  playing  and 
singing :  she  lays  aside  the  samisen,  and  approaches 
Wataru,  7aho  is  finishing  his  evening  repast. 

Wataru.  Why  that's  my  sun-bright  wife,  again  ! 
Methought  to-night  there  hung  a  cloud  upon  the  fair 
brow,  but  the  pretty  song  hath  chased  it  away. 


ISO  ADZUMA 

Adzuma.  Have  you  supped  well  ? 

Myself  I  dressed  those  aji  that  you  like ; 

Let  me  fill  up  your  cup. 
Wat.  The  wine  tastes  good 

With  such  a  hand  to  pour  it.     Th'  Okkasan — 

The  honourable  Mother — what  was  ill 

This  forenoon  with  her  ? 
Adz.  Nought — save  what  will  mend 

Before  to-morrow.     Taste  these  saffron-balls 

With  some  wild  honey. 
Wat.  No  !  enough — enough  ! 

Adz.   Ah,  just  one  bean-cake  more,  or  I  shall  think 

My  cooking's  out  of  favour. 
Wat.  Why,  you  witch  ! 

I  should  eat  out  of  such  deft  hands  as  yours 

Fresh  come  from  dinner  with  the  Emi)eror. 
Adz.   How  kind  you  are  !     In  the  good  days  gone  by 

Have  I  been  what  a  Nippon  wife  should  be 

Wed  to  so  dear  a  Lord  ? 
Wat.  My  Adzuma  ! 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  151 

Hast  seen  the  fisher-folk,  in  Ise,  hunt 

The  green  sea  for  its  wealth  ?     A  hundred  plunge, 

And  fetch  up  wrinkled  shells,  sea-ears,  sea-fans, 

Awabi,  akagai.     And  this  man  gets 

Out  of  his  fish  a  little  pearl ;  and  this 

Another  little  pearl ;  and  that  one  nought 

Save  slime  and  mud  ;  and  that  one — why,  a  pearl 

But  black  and  ill-shaped.     Till  the  one  with  the 

luck, — 
Not    best   of  the    band,    may    be  —  finds,    in    his 

shell, 
A  pearl  like  the  full  moon,  faultlessly  white, 
Round,  lucent,  lovely — oh  !   the  pride  of  the  Sea  ! 
Fit  treasure  to  be  button  to  the  neck 
Of  our  Mikado's  self;  and  all  the  crew 
Envy  their  fellow,  but  no  other  gem 
Comes  like  it  from  the  secrets  of  the  wave. 
I  am  that  fisher,  sweetheart  !   you  that  pearl. 
Adz.   Oh,  how  I  thank  you  !     For  such  pretty  words 
A  cup  of  sake,  Sir  ! — What  hapj^y  days 


152  ADZUMA 

Our  days  have  been,  since  at  the  wedding-feast 
We  drunk  nine  cups  together. 

Wat.  Have  been,  sweet  ? 

Why  say  you  ''have  been"?     Please  the  gracious 

gods 
That's  but  beginning !     What's  to  hinder  us 
From  growing  grey  together,  every  day 
Better  than  yesterday — till,  when  'tis  willed 
There's  to  be  no  to-morrow,  side  by  side. 
As  'twere  a-bed  again,  we  sleep  content 
Under  the  fir-trees,  in  the  Temple's  peace? 

Adz.   Dear  Lord  !   if  that  had  been — if  that  might  be  ! 
But  some  day  comes  the  day  which  doth  not  have 
Any  to-morrow,  and — sometimes  it  comes 
So  soon,  so  sudden.      Did  folks  understand 
Why  Genjiro  gave  his  life  upon  the  wall  ? 

Wat.   Oh,  very  well. 

Adz.  They  would  not  deem  he  died 

So  fond  of  honour  that  he  could  forget 
How  some  must  weep  for  him? 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  153 

Wat.  No  !  I  am  sure 

'Twas  well  perceived. 

Adz.  You  think  the  living  do 

The  dead  ones  justice  ?     Ah  !   it  seems  so  hard 
To  hold  in  mind  what  wrongs  the  grave  endures 
When  lips  which  had  so  much  to  say  are  closed, 
And  full  hearts  finish  beating  ! 

Wat.  Nay,  my  girl  ! 

Surely  a  great  death's  like  the  calm  that  broods 
At  sea,  after  the  storm.      Rude  waves,  ashamed, 
Leave  raging  ;   peaks  and  cliffs  in  the  true  shape 
Rise  clear  out  of  their  shadows  ;  hidden  reefs 
Reveal  their  treachery,  envy's  chill  mist 
Rolls  from  the  prospect,  and  the  mariner 
Sees  where  he  steered  amiss.     But  oh  !    we  talk 
Like  bitterns  croaking.     Fill  my  cup  again. 
And  fetch  my  robe  :   I  have  a  mind  to  sleep. 

Adz.  Yes,  sleep,  dear  Lord  ! 

\Shc   brings  in,   and  puts    on,   the    night-robe    of 
Wataru  ;  and  then  prepares  his  piiioto,  and 


154  ADZUMA 

bed-covering ;    while  herself  sitting  by  him, 
and  taking  writing  materials.^ 
Wat.  Will  you  not  sleep  yet,  wife  ? 

Adz.   I'll  write  a  little. 
Wat.  Then  no  makura  ! 

I'll  make  your  lap  my  pillow,  till  you  come. 

\Hc  lies  down  on  the  sleeping-rugs,  witJi  his  head 
on  Adzuma's    knees,   and  prese/itly  falls  to 
slumber,  while  Adzuma  writes^ 
Adz.   He  is  asleep.      Kind  Lord  !    Sweet  Lord  !    I'll  talk 
Soft  to  thy  spirit  through  the  unhearing  ears. 
Wataru  !   I  am  dying  for  thee,  dear  ! 
To-night,    this    night.       Thou    didst    not,    couldst 

not,  know 
The  ache  of  my    heart,  which  almost  cracked    its 

strings. 
At  such  kind  words.     I  dared  not  answer  right, 
For,  if  I  answered  right,  I  must  have  said 
'  Wataru  !   'tis  thy  dead  Adzuma  speaks  !  ' — 
Husband,  oh,  husband  !   I  am  loath  to  leave 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  155 

These  strong  true  arms,  this  tender  breast, — but, 

dear  ! 
I  vuist  die  !     There's  no  other  way  !     Thereby 
I  clear  all,  and  I  quit  thee  well-assured 
I  was  thy  pure  wife  ',  body  and  soul  thy  wife, 
Clean  to  the  core  in  my  fidelity. 
How  thou  wilt  grieve  !   yet  not  so  much,  so  much 
As  if  I  lived,  and  there  fell  now  and  then — 
When  people  talked  our  story  o'er  again — 
That  one  drop  in  Love's  cup  which  poisons  Love. 
Now  it  can  never  come.     When  tears  half  dry 
Thou' It  see  through  them  that  I  did  this  thing  well, 
And  thou  wilt  know  there  was  no  other  way 
A  Nippon  wife  could  take ;  and  thou  wilt  live 
To  die,  I  think,  and  have  me  all  again. 
Beyond  this  world.     Oh,  what  a  little  while 
Is  left  to  look  upon  his  sleeping  face  ! 
If  I  dared  kiss  it ! 
\_Kissi/ig  him,  a  fear  from  Adzum.'V.'s  eyes  falls  upon 
Wataru's  cheek,  and  awakens  him.'\ 


156  ADZUMA 

Wataru    {starting   up).     What,    my   golden   girl!     my 
flower ! 
Weeping  ?     I   dreamed   you   sate   in   Heaven,  and 

sent 
Rain  down  upon  us. 

Adz.  Ah,  forgive  me,  Sir  : 

I  have  wet  your  beard  with  foolish  tears.     Indeed, 
You  should  be  angry,  but  my  heart  was  sad 
With  one  day's  separation,  and  I  mused 
How  full  of  change  life  is,  and  how  more  hard 
To  part  for  many  a  day. 

Wat.  We  will  not  part ! 

Comfort  thee,  wife  !  and  come  to  bed. 

Adz.  Aye,  Lord  ! 

I'll  finish  these,  and  come.     Do  thou,  meanwhile, 
Lie  easier.     \_Shc  arranges  his  pillow. '\ 

Sleep  !     But  dear  Wataru  !     Lord  ! 
If  I  should  die,  and  thou  should 'st  please  to  take 
Another  hapi)y  lady  in  my  place — 
It  would  be  rightful — it  would  be  thy  due  ! — 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  157 

Alas  !   how  then  the  soul  of  Adzuma 

Would  wander  restless,  watching  whilst  thou  gave 

Adzuma' s  kisses  not  to  Adzuma. 

If  I  did  dare  to  ask — 

Wat.  See  now  ;  ask  not  ! 

'Tis  idle  torment,  sweet  !   this  peeping-work 
Into  what  is  to  be.     But  I  have  sworn — 
And  I  do  swear  again — none  never  shall 
Lie  in  thy  place. 

Adz.  Now  gentle  Heaven  thank 

That  gracious  word  !     Be't  the  last  word  to-night 
Dear,    dearest    Lord !     That    kind   speech   on    thy 

mouth 
I  seal  with  mine.     Good-night  !  good-bye  !  good- 
night !  [Wataru  once  more  falls  asleep.'\ 

Now  'tis  time  ! 
He  slumbers  sound  :   my  scrolls  are  ended  :   now 
'Tis  time  !  my  murderer  comes,  whose  sword  shall 

save 
My  name,  Wataru's  peace,  my  Mother's  life, 


158  ADZUMA 

And  make  them  see  Adzuma  did  not  sin. 

Haste,    thou    foiled    fool,    whose   love   was    bloody 

lust, 
And  learn  how  Adzuma  rights  Adzuma. 
First  I  must  shear  my  hair  away,  and  tie 
The  short  ends  back — Samurai -way.  [^//<^'  cuts 

her  hair  close,  and  fastens  the  ends  zaith  a  string.~\ 

So  there  ! 
My  head  is  like  Wataru's.     Next's  to  wet 
Nape,  crown,  and  brow. 

[She  pits  water  upon  her  head  and  hair.'\ 

He  cannot  miss  to  feel 

This  soaked  hair  !     Next,  to  leave   by  my  Lord's 

head 
The  letter  on  his  pillow.  \Shc  places  fJic  letter^ 

So  !   that's  done  ! 
And  here's  for  Mother ;  she  will  find  it  there. 

\_Phices  another  /etter.~\ 
Now  all  is  wrought  !     I'll  to  the  Eastern  room 
And  set  the  signal-lamp,  and  lie  down  still 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  159 

In  dear  Wataru's  place,  and  fold  my  hands, 
And  wait  the  wicked  steel  of  Mori  to. 

[Exit  Adzuma. 
End  of  Scene  4. 


ACT  IV. 

Scene    5  . 

Exterior  of  Adzuma' s  house.     Night  time.     A  lamp  is 
shining  through  a  lattice. 

Enter  Morito,  holding  a  naked  sword. 

MoRiTO.  Aye  !     there's  the  light !     And,  when  I  slide 
the  door, 
She'll  put  it  out,  to  show  all's  well.      ''All's  well?  " 
"  All's  ill  " — say  rather  !     Oh,  I  know,  I  know 
What  cursed  work  I  do,  what  bloody  road 
I  follow  to  the  fruitage  of  my  love  ; 
And  yonder  light  shines  out  of  Hell,  I  know,. 
To  show  my  way.     Well !   if  it  gleam  from  Hell 


i6o  ADZUMA 

It  guides  to  Heaven,  my  Heaven  with  Adzuma. 

Cut  quick,  fierce  sword  !     I  spit  upon  thy  hilt 

To  get  fast  grip.      Now,  Lord  Wataru  !   die  ! 

[MoRiTO  enters  ;  a/id,  after  a  brief  interval,  emerges 
again,  carrying  a  Jiead  in  a  bloodstained  cloth.'\ 

Devils  of  Hell !  how  easy  'twas  to  do, 
Tliis  coward  murderous  deed  !     The  head  was  wet, 
The  hair  cropped  close.     I  took  his  girdle-purse. 
That  it  might  seem  a  robber's  deed.      Now,  naught 
Lives  'twixt  my  love  and  me.      How  sound  he  slept 
Who  doth  sleep  sounder  now ;  how  soft  it  was 
That  soldier's  neck  !     I'll  to  the  moon-light  there. 
And  tie  my  burden  better. 

[MoRiTO  goes  near  to  a  corner  in  the  street,  and 
sitting  doivn,  opens  the  doth  ;  7vhcn  tiiere  rolls 
out  a  severed  head,  ivliich  is  seen  to  be  that  of 
Adzuma.] 

[MoRiTO  starts  to  his  feet ;  covers  his  face  ivith  his 
hands,  and  staggers  paralysed  to  the  wall.~\ 

MoRiTO  \j-e-approaching,  after  a  time,  the  head.'\ 
Not  his  !     But  Adzuma's  !     Adzuma's  head  ! 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  i6i 

What  !   have  I  murdered  Adzuuia?     Hell's  light ! 
Shrewdly   thou    beaconedst   me !       I   have   steered 

straight 
To  damnable  perdition  !     Eyes  !  soft  eyes  ! 
Shut,  lest  they  blight  themselves  with  glimpse  of  me. 
Yes,  ye  are  Adzuma's  ]  the  pale  cheeks  her's  ; 
The  blanched,  locked  lips  j    her's — her's  the  black 

hair  cropped, 
And  tied  Wataru's  way.     Oh,  I  see  well 
What  snare  she  laid.     The  savage  eagle's  trussed 
By  the  white  dove's  small   foot.     Fiends   that  do 

tempt, 
You,  Sakamune  !   chief — come  hither  and  grin  ! 
Your   utter   worst    is   wrought !    Why   then,    she's 

true  ! 

She  never  wrote  the  script  !     Gods  !   all  reads  plain 

Writ  in  this  pure  bright  blood.     She  could  not  put 

Our  cursed  plots  aside,  unless  she  died, 

And  so  she  died,  making  of  Morito 

Servant  and  purger  to  her  innocence. 
II 


i62  ADZUMA 

Oh,  miserable  Morito  !     Oh,  spite 

Of  sinfuhiess,  mocked,  to  set  Virtue  right  ! 

\_Exit  Morito,  carrying  the  head. 

End  of  Scene  5. 


ACT   IV. 

Scene    6. 

Time,  early  morning.  An  apartment  in  Wataru's  house. 
Kameju  and  a  group  of  laitienting  people  discovered. 
Wataru  apart,  lost  in  grief. 

[Morito  is  seen  forcing  the  entrance  by  an  inner  door.'\ 

Kameju.  Nay,  Sir  !  you  cannot  come  in.  There  is 
great  woe  here. 

Morito.   Give  me  way  ! 

Kam.  Enter  not,  for  your  own  comfort  !  You  do 
not  know  that  the  Lady  Adzuma  hath  been  found 
this  morning  most  foully  murdered. 

Mor.  Give  me  way  !  Stand  aside,  I  say  !  Where 
is  Wataru  ? 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  163 

Kam.   He  cannot  speak  with  you. 

MoR.   Stand  back  !  give  way  !      Oh,  Watanabe  !     Sir  ! 
Let  me  have  leave,  and  Hsten  just  so  long 
Till  I  have  spoke  enough  to  force  thy  blade 
Make  bloody  period  to  my  speech  and  me. 

Wataru.   What  can'st  thou  say,  in  this  fate-stricken 
house, 
Such  heavy  sorrow  as  to-day's  could  hear  ? 

MoR.   This  !     I  am  he  who  murdered  Adzuma  ! 
Here  is  her  beauteous,  gentle,  bleeding  head 
Severed,  in  place  of  thine,  by  this  vile  hand  ! 
I — fool,  and  beast,  and  butcher — being  misled. 
Being  gone  mad  with  passion,  being  beguiled, 
Took  her  white  purity  for  wantonness, 
And  forged  scripts  for  the  message  of  her  hand. 
With  that,  by  hateful  words,  and  cruel  threats, 
Perplexed  her  for  her  mother's  sake,  and  thine, 
Drove  her  to  edge  of  dreadful  precipice 
Where  no  way  seemed  how  Virtue  could  come  safe. 
Sudden  resolved  ( — oh  !   as  I  now  do  know 


i64  ADZUMA 

Whispered  by  Heaven,  which  helps  fidehty — ) 
She  turns  :   bids  me  break  in  ;  slay  thee  ;   and  then, 
It  should  be  as  it  should  be.     Look,  what's  come ! 
How,  dying,  she  hath  shamed  me.     Sir  !  she  lay 
Meek,  unafeared,  in  thy  bed,  for  thy  sake  ; 
Hair  cropped,  head  wet,  on  a  man's  pillow  put ; 
And  so  I  killed  her,  thinking  to  kill  thee  ; 
And  so  I  killed  stone-dead  the  calumny 
Wherewith  we  smirched  her  stainless  nobleness ; 
And  so  I  killed  my  name,  and  fame,  and  peace, 
And  thy  peace  and  the  sweet  joy  of  thy  life. 
And  I  am  come,  with  naked  breast,  to  lay 
This  fair  head  in  thy  hands,  and  this  same  sword 
Which  struck  it  off;  and  to  beseech  of  thee 
Now,  with  its  edge,  to  lop  my  head  away, 
Which  here  I  bend  in  broken  humbleness. 
Wat.   Thou  miserable  Lord,  whose  great  sin  mates 
The  greatness  of  my  sorrow, — sheath  the  steel ! 
I'll  use  it  not.      Had  I  encountered  thee 
Knowing  one  tittle  of  this  before  she  died, 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  165 

I  had  cloven  thee,  Hke  a  wolf,  from  chin  to  chine. 
Hadst  thou  come  thus,  when  first  I  found  her  dead, 
With  such  a  prayer, — before  the  half  was  out 
I  had  split  thy  heart,  if  underneath  such  breast 
Beats  any  heart.      But  now,  thy  punishment 
Must  be  to  live  !     Thou  art  crept  penitent. 
Ashamed,  judging  thyself,  before  my  feet, 
I  cannot  therefore  kill  thee.     Live  !   I  say 
Ask  no  large  grace  like  death  !     Nay,  see   what's 

left 
Upon  my  pillow,  it  shall  gash  thy  soul 
Worse  than  sword  could  thy  body. 

He  reads  Adzuma's  last  letter. 

''  To  viy  most  noble  and  loving  Lord — Watarii 
Watanabe  ! — /  was  already  dead  for  thy  peace  and 
honour,  lahile  we  talked  together  this  night.  IVlien  I 
took  boldness  to  ask  that  thou  wouldest  never  marry 
again  after  my  death,  it  was  my  hearths  deep  love  spoke, 
rather  than  my  duty.  I  beseech  you,  forgive  this,  but 
take  my  thanks  and  blessings  for  thy  most  sweet  words. 
Yet  do  thy  will,  and  be  happy.     Here,  and  in  all  the 


1 66  ADZUMA 

zoorlds,  my  heart  is  thine,  and  my  soul.  I  have  very 
vuteh  more  to  say,  but  tears  zoill  not  suffer  me  to  write 
it.  Farewell !  thy  true  and  unspotted  wife  —  /;/  fast 
fidelity,  Adzuma." 

And,  for  her  mother,  this  is  what  she  left. 

"/  have,  indeed,  heard  that  wedded  wives  can  he 
false,  but  I  have  never  understood  it — loving  nothing  so 
much  as  my  husband'' s  love,  and  my  duty  to  him,  and 
to  you,  mother  /  The  nets  woven  around  me  by  wicked 
men  were  very  strong,  and  therefore  I  have  cut  them 
with  Morito' s  s70ord.  You  will  now  know  how  clear 
I  was  of  evil ;  and  your  life  and  good  name  will  be  safe, 
and  my  Lord  will  live  iti  peace  ajid  honour,  assured  of 
Adzuma.  I  kiss  the  kind  hand  which  struck  me,  for 
it  was  rightly  done  had  I  indeed  failed  so  shamelessly 
from  my  fidelity.  I  am  very  sorrowful  to  leave  you, 
mother,  now  so  old  and  lonely ;  but  JFataru  this  night 
—  not  understanding  why  I  asked  it — hath  promised 
ahvays  to  protect  you.  Now  I  die ;  glad  because  I 
know  you  will  again  call  me  your  daughter  Adzuma. 

Kam.  Oh,  heart  of  gold  !  Oh!  noble  Nippon  wife  ! 
Oh  !  tender  Daughter  !  Thou  too  lonely  Lord, 
What  thinkest  thou  to  do  ? 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  167 

Wat.  The  funeral  o'er 

For  this  dear  dead,  I  shall  lay  wholly  down 
Armour  and  swords,  and,  from  this  heavy  time. 
With  shorn  head,  in  the  holy  Temple's  shade 
A  Priest  I'll  live,  'till  good  hap  come  to  die. 

MoR.   I,  whom  thou  biddest  live,  humbly  obey, 

And,  with  my  face  in  the  dust,  take  thy  vow,  too, 
That  daily,  and  that  nightly,  I  may  pray 
For  this  pure  soul. 

Wat.  Why,  be  it  so  !     And  she 

May   thus,   in   Heaven,   find  prayers    to   make   for 
thee. 

\Exeunt  Omnes. 


End  of  Scene  6. 


1 68  ADZUMA 

ACT   IV. 

Scene    7. 

Front  of  a  Buddhist  Temple.  Prayers  for  the  dead  are 
proceeding,  and  incense  -  sticks  being  burned.  Bud- 
dhist monks  go  about  the  shrine ;  among  them  are 
seen  Wataru  and  Morito  zuith  shaven  heads,  and 
wearing  the  priestly  robes.  Kameju  stands  at  the 
foot  of  the  Temple-steps,  tuearing  two  swords.  See- 
ing Sakamune /rtj-j-  the  front  of  the  Temple,  lie  beck- 
ons to  Morito,  who  descends. 

Kameju.   Master !  look  yonder,   underneath    the   trees  ! 

The  Samurai  ! 
MoR.   What  Samurai  ! 
Kam.  AVhy  he  ! 

Damned  Sakamune  !     AVilt  tliou  take  my  sword  ? 
[Morito    takes   the   sword  and  draws  back  his 
priestly  go7on — but,  witli  an  effort,  gives  up 
again  the  weapon^ 
Mor.   Kameju  !   tempt  me  not.     My  vow  is  made 


OR    THE   JAPANESE    WIFE  169 

To  spill  no  blood.     I  were  a  priest  forsworn 

Doing  this  thing, — which  must  be  done  !     Go  to  ! 
[MoRiTO  retires  into  the  Temple.     Kameju,  draw- 
ing his   sword,  follows  Sakamune,    who  is 
slowly  passing  in  the  foreground.'] 
Kam.   Ho  !     Sakamune  ! 

Saka.  Heimin  !  ha  ! — good-day  ! 

Kam.   No  good  day  dawns  which  thou  art  by  to  blast. 

Art  thou  come  here  to  pray  with  Morito  ? 
Saka.   I  come  where  I  do  please. 
Kam.  But  you  go  not. 

Save  by  another  road. 
Saka.  What  road  ? 

Kam.  The  road 

To  hell,  where  devils  expect  thee.   Draw  thy  sword  ! 
Saka.   I  fight  not  with  a  peasant. 
Kam.  ,  Oh,  for  that 

The  hangman's  knife  were  edge  too  clean  for  thee  ; 

Yet  ease  thy  conscience.     I  am  Samurai, 

Named  yesterweek. 


I70  ADZUMA 

Saka.    {tvith  agitaiioii).     I  have  come  without  my  sword. 

Kam.   I'll  lend  you  mine.      See,  here's  another  one  1 
Thy  dupe,  my  Master,  with  this  fateful  steel 
Murdered  thy  victim,  guiltless  Adzuma. 

Saka.   Let  me  choose  blades. 

\Prctc)uUng  to  examine  the  weapons,  Sakamune 
tries  to  take  advantage  of  Kameju,  and  to 
stab  /iini.'\ 

Kam.  Ah  !   Villain  to  the  last  ! — too  base  to  slay 

By  soldier's  stroke.      Dog  of  the  Samurai  ! 

I'll  rid  the  earth  of  thee.     Stand,  fight,  and  die  ! 

\_Thcy  figiit.     Sakamune  is  fatally  wounded,  and 
falls.-] 

Saka.   Curse  thee,  I  fall  !     Tell  the  bald-pates  I  die 

Mocking  at  simpletons.  [Sakamune  dies."] 

Kam.   [slowly  wiping  his  blade,  and  looking  dotun  upon 
the  dead  jnan.] 

Good  sword  !   forgive 

I  stained  thee  so  !     But,  see,  he  could  not  live ! 

THE    END. 


.J.\. 


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